TO AMEND SECTION 59-32-30(A) OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS, TO PROVIDE THAT AT LEAST ONE TIME DURING THE FOUR YEARS OF GRADES NINE THROUGH TWELVE EACH STUDENT SHALL RECEIVE INSTRUCTION IN CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION; AND TO PROVIDE THAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE UNTIL THE BEGINNING OF THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THIS ACT.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Section 59-32-30(A) of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"(7)    At least one time during the four years of grades nine through twelve, each student shall receive instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which must include, but not be limited to, hands-only CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). Each school district shall use a program that incorporates the instruction of the psychomotor skills necessary to perform CPR developed by the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, or an instructional program that is nationally recognized and based on the most current national evidence-based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines for CPR and the use of an AED. Local school districts shall coordinate with entities that have the experience and necessary equipment for the instruction of CPR and the use of AEDs. A school district must adopt a policy providing a waiver for this requirement for a student absent on the day the instruction occurred, a student with a disability whose individualized education program indicates such student is unable to complete all or a portion of the hands-only CPR requirement, or a student whose parent or guardian completes, in writing, a form approved by the school district opting out of hands-only CPR and AED instruction. The State Board of Education shall incorporate CPR training and AED awareness into the South Carolina Health and Safety Education Curriculum Standards and promulgate regulations to implement this Section."

SECTION    2.    School districts must comply with the provisions of this act no later than the 2017-2018 school year.

SECTION    3.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.