Bill: HB 897, 83(R) - 2013

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
No Neutral Neutral Neutral Negative Neutral

Author(s)

John Zerwas

Bill Caption

Relating to instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of automated external defibrillators in secondary education curriculum.

Fiscal Notes

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. School districts and open-enrollment charter schools could incur some costs to pay for instructors, services, materials, and equipment needed to effectively complete the required training. These costs would vary depending on district or school size and what the district currently offers with regard to CPR and AED training.

Bill Analysis

Summary: Requiring public schools and open-enrollment charter schools to teach 7 through 12 graders how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and how to use an automated external defibrillator. The schools may use medical professionals to provide training and the students must receive the training at least once before graduating.

Analysis: Teaching CPR and defibrillator skills to middle and high school students is a distraction from the primary responsibility of our public schools. There is limited time in the school day for students to learn the already required curriculum. By adding this new requirement, schools will necessarily have to reduce time spent on other curriculum. This bill does not specify what curriculum should be sacrificed for the CPR and defibrillator training. By enacting a statewide mandate for a nonessential curriculum, this legislation increases the size and scope of state government and places a greater burden on schools and students. We oppose HB 897.


Source URL (retrieved on 03/28/2024 06:03 AM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/83r/hb897?print_view=true