24 Pa. Stat. § 15-1528

Current through Pa Acts 2024-53, 2024-56 through 2024-79
Section 15-1528 - Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Education.
(a) In accordance with the academic standards for health, safety and physical education for grades nine through twelve and not later than the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year, the department, in consultation with the Department of Health and at least one organization recognized under section 1205.4, shall IDENTIFY OR develop a model curriculum and curriculum guidelines for instruction on cardiopulmonary resuscitation for public school students in grades nine through twelve.
(b) The model curriculum and guidelines shall:
(1) be posted in the department's publicly accessible Internet website;
(2) be age-appropriate;
(3) be revised regularly to remain current with national standards;
(4) provide guidance for integration into health courses or other appropriate curriculum requirement as listed in 22 Pa. Code § 4.23 (relating to high school education);
(5) be made available to all school entities;
(6) include compilation of recommended guidelines and educational materials from organizations with expertise in CPR and emergency care;
(7) incorporate psychomotor skills training, including hands-only CPR technique; and
(8) include information on the purpose of an automated external defibrillator.
(c)
(1) A school entity that offers instruction in CPR may utilize the model curriculum developed under subsections (a) and (b) or develop the school entity's own curriculum in accordance with academic standards and consistent with guidelines developed under subsections (a) and (b). A school entity may utilize appropriate publicly or privately available materials, personnel and other resources in developing and implementing this instruction, subject to the requirements of section 111 and 23 Pa.C.S. § 6344 (relating to employees having contact with children; adoptive and foster parents).
(2) A teacher, instructor or community volunteer, WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF A PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR WITH A PENNSYLVANIA CERTIFICATION, INCLUDING A PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR CERTIFIED IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION OR HEALTH EDUCATION OR A SCHOOL NURSE, may provide, facilitate or oversee the instruction offered by a school entity under this section and need not be a certified CPR trainer.
(d) An individual who in good faith provides instruction in CPR to a student under this section shall not be liable for any civil damages as a result of any act or omission relating to the instruction, except for an act or omission intentionally designed to harm or a grossly negligent act or omission that results in harm to an individual to whom the student administers CPR.
(e) A cyber charter school may provide the instruction under this section through the Internet or other electronic means. If a cyber charter school provides the instruction under this section through the Internet or other electronic means, the cyber charter school shall be exempt from the academic standards and guidelines developed under subsections (a) and (b) regarding in-person instructional requirements.
(f) As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Automated external defibrillator." A portable defibrillator designed to be automated for use by a person without substantial medical training who responds to a cardiac emergency.

"Cardiopulmonary resuscitation" or "CPR." A first aid technique utilizing hands-only compressions of the chest used to revive an individual whose heart has stopped beating.

"Department." The Department of Education of the Commonwealth.

"Psychomotor skills." The use of hands-on practice to support cognitive learning.

"School entity." A school district, joint school district, charter school, regional charter school, cyber charter school, intermediate unit or area career and technical school.

24 P.S. § 15-1528

Amended by P.L. TBD 2019 No. 76, § 27, eff. 12/30/2019.
Added by P.L. TBD 2019 No. 7, § 1, eff. 8/11/2019.