SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 58

(By Senators Stollings, Maynard, Palumbo, Plymale, Roberts, Rucker, Tarr, Takubo, Weld, and Maroney)

[Originating in the Committee on Health and Human Resources; Reported on March 8, 2019]

 

Requesting Joint Committee on Government and Finance study and analyze the cost and benefits of placing Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in West Virginia schools under the jurisdiction of a county board of education.

Whereas, According to the American Heart Association’s latest figures, 7,037 children die from sudden cardiac arrest each year; and

Whereas, The average American child spends between 175 and 180 days in school each year and receives between 900 and 1,000 hours of instructional time per year, and, therefore, it is critically important for our public schools to have AEDs readily available; and

Whereas, The American College of Cardiology notes that the most important contributing factor for survival of sudden cardiac arrest is the time from collapse to defibrillation.  Survival decreases 10 percent every minute until a shock is applied; and

Whereas, Studies indicate that students without any prior CPR or AED training can accurately use an AED as directed.  Automated External Defibrillators are, by design, easy to use.  By following an AED’s simple, clear voice prompts, bystanders can perform the crucial steps that can save a life; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study and analyze the cost and benefits of placing Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in West Virginia schools under the jurisdiction of a county board of education; and, be it

Further Resolved, That third-party donations may be used to effectuate the placement of AEDs in the schools; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance enlist the assistance of other state agencies and departments as necessary in conducting this study; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report its findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the regular session of the Legislature, 2020, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report, and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.