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TO AMEND CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-32-35 SO AS TO REQUIRE INSTRUCTION IN CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION AND THE USE OF AN AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR IN EACH PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL IN THE STATE, TO REQUIRE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THIS INSTRUCTION FOR GRADUATION FROM HIGH SCHOOL, TO PROVIDE CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS INSTRUCTION, AND TO DEFINE TERMS.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Chapter 32, Title 59 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 59-32-35. (A) For the purposes of this chapter:
(1) 'Hands Only CPR' means cardiopulmonary resuscitation without mouth-to-mouth breaths.
(2) 'Psychomotor skills' means the use of hands-on practice to support cognitive learning.
(B) Beginning in the 2014-2015 school year, each school board shall provide instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) in each high school in its district. Successful completion of this coursework is required for graduation from high school. The school board shall use one of the following programs and incorporate into the instruction the psychomotor skills necessary to perform CPR:
(1) an instructional program developed by the American Heart Association;
(2) an instructional program developed by the American Red Cross; or
(3) an instructional program which is nationally recognized and based on the most current national evidence-based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines for CPR and the use of an AED.
(C) In complying with the requirements of subsection (B), school districts, local EMS and first responder agencies, and grant awarding foundations are encouraged to form public-private partnerships to alleviate cost.
(D) An instructor of a noncertification course, who is a licensed teacher, must not be required to become a certified CPR/AED instructor to facilitate, provide, or oversee such instruction.
(E) A school district that chooses to provide a course that consequently may result in CPR certification must use a certified CPR/AED instructor to teach the class.
(F) The Department of Education shall establish a procedure for monitoring adherence by school boards to the requirements of subsection (B).
(G) The CPR/AED instruction is a part of the comprehensive health education program.
(H) A local school board or other appropriate school official shall provide a waiver for this requirement for a student with a disability whose individualized education program indicates he is unable to complete all or a portion of the Hands Only CPR component of the CPR instruction requirement."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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