HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 128

(By Delegates M. Poling, Paxton, Barill, D. Campbell,

Caputo, Crosier, Lawrence, Marcum, Moye, Perry,

Pethtel, Shaver, Smith, Duke, Sumner, Armstead,

Ellington, Gearheart, Rowan and Sigler)

[Originating in the Committee on Education]

(March 8, 2011)

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study the feasibility and benefits of requiring that an automated external defibrillator be placed in every public school in the state.

    Whereas, The American Heart Association estimates that approximately 250,000 Americans die each year from sudden cardiac arrest and almost ninty-five percent die before receiving treatment at a hospital; and

    Whereas, Immediate attention is critical for someone in cardiac arrest as their chance for survival decreases by nearly ten percent for every minute that passes without treatment; and

    Whereas, The American Heart Association estimates that up to twenty-five percent of the deaths each year that result from cardiac arrest could have been prevented if treatment had been initiated immediately and a defibrillator had been available; and

    Whereas, The only definitive treatment for Sudden Cardiac Arrest is a defibrillation shock; and

    Whereas, An automated external defibrillator is a computerized portable device that talks the user through lifesaving steps to deliver an electrical impulse that can bring a dying heart back to a normal rhythm during an incident of cardiac arrest; and

    Whereas, The number of reports of student athletes who die of sudden cardiac arrest continues to increase and has caused a number of states, including Ohio, Massachusetts, Tennessee, and Texas, to require public schools to have automated external defibrillators on site; and

    Whereas, Automated external difibrillators are designed for use by virtually anyone with minimal training and in many cases, a simple course including CPR and AED training is all that is required; and

    Whereas, The American Heart Association offers the Heartsaver AED course, which can be completed in less than four hours; and

    Whereas, As a result of its easy-to-use design, an automated external defibrillator has very low risk of misuse and does not allow use on any person not experiencing cardiac arrest; and

    Whereas, Mobile automated external defibrillators would best be placed in student health areas or with a school nurse, in cafeterias, common areas, auditoriums, or gymnasiums, near a fire extinguisher, with a security officer, or any place where they are easily visible and easily accessible; and

    Whereas, Young people die from cardiac arrest on public school and college campuses every year, and according to the Mid American Heart Institute, 5,000 to 7,000 children and adolescents die from sudden cardiac arrest in the United States annually; and

    Whereas, Most of these deaths could have been prevented with prompt difibrillation; and

    Whereas, Anyone can be a victim of sudden cardiac arrest, even young and seemingly healthy people; and therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the feasibility and benefits of requiring that an automated external defibrillator be placed in every public school in the state; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the Legislature, on the first day of the regular session, 2013, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

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