78R5317 JRD-D


By:  Mercer                                                       H.B. No. 965



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to requiring the Texas Department of Health in 
consultation with the Texas Education Agency to study the cost and 
feasibility of installing automated external defibrillators in 
public high school buildings.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  (a)  The Texas Department of Health, in 
consultation with the Texas Education Agency, shall conduct a study 
regarding the purchase and placement of automated external 
defibrillators in public high school buildings.
	(b)  The department shall estimate the extent to which 
placing automated external defibrillators in public high school 
buildings would improve the survival rate of individuals who 
experience sudden cardiac arrest while in a public high school 
building.
	(c)  The department in consultation with the education 
agency also shall study:
		(1)  in which public high school buildings it would be 
advisable to place an automated external defibrillator, with 
special consideration given to public high school buildings that 
are accessible to the public;
		(2)  the cost of purchasing, placing, and maintaining 
automated external defibrillators in public high school buildings;
		(3)  the best methods for integrating the placement of 
automated external defibrillators with existing emergency medical 
services;
		(4)  the extent to which school personnel would need to 
be trained in the use of automated external defibrillators and in 
cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the probable cost of that 
training; and
		(5)  any other considerations, including any other 
costs, that would be involved in effectively placing automated 
external defibrillators in public high school buildings.
	(d)  The department shall report the results of its study 
together with any recommendations of the department or the 
education agency to the governor and the presiding officer of each 
house of the legislature not later than November 1, 2004.
	SECTION 2. This Act expires June 1, 2005.                                      
	SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.