A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "LUKE BARRETT ACT" BY ADDING SECTION 59-17-165 SO AS TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF CARDIAC EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND FOR SCHOOL-SPONSORED ATHLETIC PRACTICES AND EVENTS, TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONTENTS OF THE PLANS, TO PROVIDE TRAINING REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO THE PROGRAM, AND TO PROVIDE CERTAIN IMMUNITY FOR ACTIONS UNDERTAKEN PURSUANT TO THIS ACT, AMONG OTHER THINGS; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 59-17-155, RELATING TO AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR PROGRAMS IN PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS, SO AS TO EXPAND THE PROVISIONS TO COVER ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS INCLUDING CHARTER SCHOOLS, TO PROVIDE PUBLIC SCHOOLS SHALL ENSURE ACCESSIBILITY TO AUTOMATIC EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS AT SCHOOL AND OFF-SITE ATHLETIC EVENTS, TO PROVIDE TESTING AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AUTOMATIC EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS, AND TO PROVIDE RELATED TRAINING REQUIREMENTS.
Impact
H3576 would amend existing statutes within the South Carolina Code of Laws to include provisions requiring the placement of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) on school premises and at athletic events. Additionally, it mandates training for school staff in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and AED use, ensuring that designated personnel can quickly and effectively respond to cardiac emergencies. The introduction of these requirements is expected to significantly reduce the response time in critical situations, potentially saving lives and minimizing adverse outcomes during emergencies.
Summary
House Bill H3576, known as the 'Luke Barrett Act,' aims to enhance safety in South Carolina public schools by mandating the development and implementation of Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERP). These plans are designed to address incidents of sudden cardiac arrest at school facilities and during school-sponsored athletic events. Specifically, each public school district and charter school must create a CERP that outlines how school personnel will respond to cardiac emergencies, ensuring appropriate measures are in place to protect students and staff during such crises.
Contention
The bill also includes important legal protections, granting immunity from civil or criminal liability for individuals who act under the provisions of the CERP. This immunity extends to school officials, staff training personnel, and authorized trainers in CPR and AED usage, provided their actions are in good faith and not grossly negligent. This legal safeguard is intended to encourage compliance and active participation in emergency response training and procedures among school staff, promoting a culture of preparedness and safety within educational institutions.
Similar To
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "SMART HEART ACT" BY ADDING SECTION 59-17-165 SO AS TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A CARDIAC EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN IN EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 59-17-155, RELATING TO THE AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR PROGRAM IN HIGH SCHOOLS, SO AS TO PROVIDE EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL SHALL ENSURE THE PRESENCE OF AN AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR ONSITE AND WITHIN CERTAIN PROXIMITY OF SCHOOL ATHLETIC VENUES, AND TO PROVIDE RELATED TESTING, MAINTENANCE, AND PERSONNEL TRAINING REQUIREMENTS.