Measure to Provide Added Protection to Oklahoma Students Receives Final Senate Approval

Senator Mary Easley announced today that a bill to further enhance safety in the classroom received final Senate approval. Senate Bill 618 creates the “Dustin Rhodes and Lindsay Steed CPR Training Act,” which will require two employees at every Oklahoma school to receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) instruction.

The Democrat from South Tulsa authored the legislation following the tragic death of Dustin Rhodes and Lindsay Steed. The students both choked during school and while teachers and staff tried to help, they were unsuccessful.

“I believe SB 618 could prevent future tragedies from happening in our schools,” stated Sen. Easley. “We worked with the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association as well as many other organizations to obtain funding, teaching materials and training courses. CPR is a skill that can save lives, and those that are charged with the care of our children should receive this vital training.”

Under provisions of SB 618 each school district board of education will be required to have a minimum of one certified teacher and one non-certified staff member at each school receive training in CPR and the Heimlich maneuver. The training must be updated every two years, when the CPR certificate expires. School districts may use state funds allocated to them for professional development to pay for or reimburse teachers and support personnel for training in the administration of first aid and techniques of CPR, which will be offered on a yearly basis.

The State Department of Education may administer the CPR instruction program and train teaching personnel.

“I want not only to ensure the safety of our children by having two trained personnel in CPR, but I also want to guarantee that this is an achievable goal for our school districts,” said Easley. “I’m extremely pleased SB 618 was approved by the Senate because we are now one step closer to further enhancing the safety of Oklahoma’s children while they are at school.”

SB 618 will go to the House of Representatives for final legislative approval. If passed, the bill will go to the Governor’s office for his signature.