SRC-MKV H.B. 821 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 821
77R9779 CAS-FBy: Giddings (Bivins)
Education
5/8/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The American Heart Association estimates that each day more than 95 percent
of Americans who suffer sudden cardiac arrest die before reaching the
hospital. Additionally, at least 50,000 lives could be saved each year if
the national sudden cardiac arrest survival rate could be increased from
five percent to 20 percent or higher. One course of action that might
increase survival rates is the chain of survival, a four-step process of
providing treatment to victims of sudden cardiac arrest which includes
administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). More lives could
potentially be saved if more people were skilled in CPR.  H.B. 821 requires
a school district to offer a CPR course to students at or above the ninth
grade level.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 7B, Education Code, by adding Section 7.025, as
follows: 

Sec. 7.025.  ASSISTANCE TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND OTHER ENTITIES CONCERNING
CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION INSTRUCTION.  Requires the Texas Education
Agency (agency), through regional education service centers, to provide
assistance in implementing the cardiopulmonary resuscitation instruction
required under Section 28.002(a)(2)(B) to school districts and to any
entity collaborating with school districts in providing that instruction. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 28.002(a), Education Code, to add language
requiring each school district that offers kindergarten through grade 12 to
offer, as a required curriculum, health, with specific instruction in the
principles and techniques of cardiopulmonary resuscitation given at least
once at the ninth grade level or above. 

SECTION 3.  Provides that Section 28.002(a)(2)(B), Education Code, as
amended by this Act, applies beginning with the 2001-2002 school year. 

SECTION 4.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.