Senate Bill 2094

AN ACT RELATING TO AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS; TO REQUIRE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOLS TO HAVE A DEFIBRILLATOR ON THE SCHOOL GROUNDS; TO ENCOURAGE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS TO COVER CERTAIN COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH DEFIBRILLATORS; TO AUTHORIZE AND DIRECT THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH TO PROMULGATE REGULATIONS TO REQUIRE PREVENTATIVE CARDIAC SCREENING OF STUDENT ATHLETES AND TO MANDATE THAT COACHES RECEIVE TRAINING IN CPR AND THE USE OF AN AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR; TO AUTHORIZE AND DIRECT THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO REQUIRE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS TO COMPLY WITH CARDIAC SCREENING REQUIREMENTS BEGINNING WITH THE 2014-2015 SCHOOL YEAR; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Each public and private high school in the State of Mississippi shall have an operational defibrillator on the high school grounds. Public and private partnerships are encouraged to cover the cost associated with the purchase and placement of the defibrillator and training in the use of the defibrillator.

SECTION 2. (1) The State Board of Health shall develop and promulgate by regulation, guidelines and standards mandating that student athletes receive preventative cardiac screening to detect conditions and defects which may lead to illness, injury or death as a result of strenuous physical activity. The State Board of Health shall determine the specific types of screening which shall be required, including, but not limited to, advanced screening for the diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

(2) For purposes of this section, "student athlete" shall mean any student participating in supervised sporting activities organized by a public or private school, or an organization, association or group organized and functioning, in whole or in part, for the purpose of providing youth with the opportunity to participate in supervised sporting activities.

(3) The State Board of Health shall establish by regulation, guidelines mandating that coaches and trainers of student athletes, as defined in this section, whether paid or unpaid, shall be required to complete training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the correct use of an automated external defibrillator. The State Department of Education shall develop programs to provide such training at various locations throughout the state at least four (4) times per year.

(4) The State Department of Education shall require all public school districts and accredited private schools to comply with the regulations promulgated by the State Board of Health under subsection (1) of this section beginning with the 2014-2015 school year.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2014.