H*3265(Rat #0157, Act #0152 of 2016)  General Bill, By Wells, Taylor, Cole, 
Bedingfield, Sottile, Ridgeway, Hiott, Ott, Anthony, M.S. McLeod, Bannister, 
Henderson, Collins, Clary, Daning, McKnight, Kennedy, Pope, Hixon, Gagnon, 
Erickson, Long, Hicks, Nanney and W.J. McLeod

Similar(S 320)
 AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, SO AS TO ENACT
 "RONALD ROUSE'S LAW"; TO AMEND SECTION 59-32-30, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO
 PUBLIC SCHOOL COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT
 STUDENTS MUST RECEIVE INSTRUCTION IN CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION AND
 AWARENESS OF THE USE OF AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS AT LEAST ONCE DURING
 THE ENTIRE FOUR YEARS OF GRADES NINE THROUGH TWELVE, TO SPECIFY SKILLS THIS
 INSTRUCTION MUST INCLUDE, TO PROVIDE FOR ADAPTATION OF THE PROGRAM FOR VIRTUAL
 SCHOOLS, TO PROVIDE FOR WAIVERS IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, TO PROVIDE RELATED
 REQUIREMENTS OF LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION;
 TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WHO HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED THE REQUISITE HEALTH COURSE ARE
 NOT REQUIRED TO TAKE THE COURSE A SECOND TIME; TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT MAY
 INCLUDE LANGUAGE FROM ANY SECTION OF THIS ACT IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA HEALTH AND
 SAFETY EDUCATION CURRICULUM STANDARDS; AND TO PROVIDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS MUST
 BEGIN COMPLYING WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT NO LATER THAN THE 2017-2018
 SCHOOL YEAR. - ratified title

   12/18/14  House  Prefiled
   12/18/14  House  Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works
   01/13/15  House  Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 176)
   01/13/15  House  Referred to Committee on Education and Public
                     Works (House Journal-page 176)
   01/28/15  House  Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Kennedy,
                     Pope, Hixon, Gagnon, Erickson, Long, Hicks, Nanney
   02/17/15  House  Committee report: Favorable with amendment
                     Education and Public Works (House Journal-page 20)
   02/18/15  House  Member(s) request name added as sponsor: W.J.McLeod
   02/19/15  House  Amended (House Journal-page 25)
   02/19/15  House  Read second time (House Journal-page 25)
   02/19/15  House  Roll call Yeas-107  Nays-0 (House Journal-page 27)
   02/19/15  House  Unanimous consent for third reading on next
                     legislative day (House Journal-page 28)
   02/20/15  House  Read third time and sent to Senate
                     (House Journal-page 2)
   02/24/15  Senate Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 12)
   02/24/15  Senate Referred to Committee on Education
                     (Senate Journal-page 12)
   02/25/16  Senate Committee report: Favorable with amendment
                     Education (Senate Journal-page 13)
   02/26/16         Scrivener's error corrected
   03/02/16  Senate Committee Amendment Adopted (Senate Journal-page 28)
   03/02/16  Senate Amended (Senate Journal-page 28)
   03/02/16  Senate Read second time (Senate Journal-page 28)
   03/03/16  Senate Amended (Senate Journal-page 9)
   03/03/16  Senate Read third time and returned to House with
                     amendments (Senate Journal-page 9)
   03/03/16  Senate Roll call Ayes-34  Nays-0 (Senate Journal-page 9)
   03/04/16         Scrivener's error corrected
   03/10/16  House  Debate adjourned until Tues., 3-15-16
                     (House Journal-page 20)
   03/16/16  House  Senate amendment amended (House Journal-page 83)
   03/16/16  House  Returned to Senate with amendments
                     (House Journal-page 83)
   03/16/16  House  Roll call Yeas-99  Nays-0 (House Journal-page 84)
   03/23/16  Senate Concurred in House amendment and enrolled
   04/19/16         Ratified R 157
   04/21/16         Signed By Governor
   04/27/16         Effective date 04/21/16
   05/02/16         Act No. 152

(A152, R157, H3265)

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, SO AS TO ENACT "RONALD ROUSE'S LAW"; TO AMEND SECTION 59-32-30, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOL COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT STUDENTS MUST RECEIVE INSTRUCTION IN CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION AND AWARENESS OF THE USE OF AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS AT LEAST ONCE DURING THE ENTIRE FOUR YEARS OF GRADES NINE THROUGH TWELVE, TO SPECIFY SKILLS THIS INSTRUCTION MUST INCLUDE, TO PROVIDE FOR ADAPTATION OF THE PROGRAM FOR VIRTUAL SCHOOLS, TO PROVIDE FOR WAIVERS IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, TO PROVIDE RELATED REQUIREMENTS OF LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WHO HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED THE REQUISITE HEALTH COURSE ARE NOT REQUIRED TO TAKE THE COURSE A SECOND TIME; TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT MAY INCLUDE LANGUAGE FROM ANY SECTION OF THIS ACT IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA HEALTH AND SAFETY EDUCATION CURRICULUM STANDARDS; AND TO PROVIDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS MUST BEGIN COMPLYING WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT NO LATER THAN THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Citation

SECTION    1.    This act may be referred to and cited as "Ronald Rouse's Law".

Instruction in CPR and AED use awareness in high schools

SECTION    2.    Section 59-32-30(A) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 58 of 2015, is further amended by adding an appropriately numbered item at the end to read:

"( )    At least one time during the entire four years of grades nine through twelve, each student shall receive instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which must include, but not be limited to, hands-only CPR and must include awareness in the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). Each school district shall use a program that incorporates the instruction of the psychomotor skills necessary to perform CPR developed by the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, or an instructional program that is nationally recognized and based on the most current national evidence-based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines for CPR and awareness in the use of an AED. Local and statewide school districts shall coordinate with entities that have the experience and necessary equipment for the instruction of CPR and awareness in the use of AEDs; provided, however, that virtual schools may administer the instruction virtually and are exempt from any in-person instructional requirements. A school district must adopt a policy providing a waiver for this requirement for a student absent on the day the instruction occurred, a student with a disability whose individualized education program indicates such student is unable to complete all or a portion of the hands-only CPR requirement, or a student whose parent or guardian completes, in writing, a form approved by the school district opting out of hands-only CPR instruction and AED awareness. The State Board of Education shall incorporate CPR training and AED awareness into the South Carolina Health and Safety Education Curriculum Standards and promulgate regulations to implement this section."

Exemption

SECTION    3.    Students who have already completed the requisite health course will not be required to take the course a second time.

South Carolina Health and Safety Education Curriculum Standards

SECTION    4.    The State Department of Education may include language from any section of this act in the South Carolina Health and Safety Education Curriculum Standards.

Compliance before 2017-2018 school year required

SECTION    5.    School districts must begin complying with the provisions of this act no later than the 2017-2018 school year.

Time effective

SECTION    6.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Ratified the 19th day of April, 2016.

Approved the 21st day of April, 2016.

(A152, R157, H3265)

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, SO AS TO ENACT "RONALD ROUSE'S LAW"; TO AMEND SECTION 59-32-30, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOL COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT STUDENTS MUST RECEIVE INSTRUCTION IN CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION AND AWARENESS OF THE USE OF AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS AT LEAST ONCE DURING THE ENTIRE FOUR YEARS OF GRADES NINE THROUGH TWELVE, TO SPECIFY SKILLS THIS INSTRUCTION MUST INCLUDE, TO PROVIDE FOR ADAPTATION OF THE PROGRAM FOR VIRTUAL SCHOOLS, TO PROVIDE FOR WAIVERS IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, TO PROVIDE RELATED REQUIREMENTS OF LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WHO HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED THE REQUISITE HEALTH COURSE ARE NOT REQUIRED TO TAKE THE COURSE A SECOND TIME; TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT MAY INCLUDE LANGUAGE FROM ANY SECTION OF THIS ACT IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA HEALTH AND SAFETY EDUCATION CURRICULUM STANDARDS; AND TO PROVIDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS MUST BEGIN COMPLYING WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT NO LATER THAN THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Citation

SECTION    1.    This act may be referred to and cited as "Ronald Rouse's Law".

Instruction in CPR and AED use awareness in high schools

SECTION    2.    Section 59-32-30(A) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 58 of 2015, is further amended by adding an appropriately numbered item at the end to read:

"( )    At least one time during the entire four years of grades nine through twelve, each student shall receive instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which must include, but not be limited to, hands-only CPR and must include awareness in the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). Each school district shall use a program that incorporates the instruction of the psychomotor skills necessary to perform CPR developed by the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, or an instructional program that is nationally recognized and based on the most current national evidence-based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines for CPR and awareness in the use of an AED. Local and statewide school districts shall coordinate with entities that have the experience and necessary equipment for the instruction of CPR and awareness in the use of AEDs; provided, however, that virtual schools may administer the instruction virtually and are exempt from any in-person instructional requirements. A school district must adopt a policy providing a waiver for this requirement for a student absent on the day the instruction occurred, a student with a disability whose individualized education program indicates such student is unable to complete all or a portion of the hands-only CPR requirement, or a student whose parent or guardian completes, in writing, a form approved by the school district opting out of hands-only CPR instruction and AED awareness. The State Board of Education shall incorporate CPR training and AED awareness into the South Carolina Health and Safety Education Curriculum Standards and promulgate regulations to implement this section."

Exemption

SECTION    3.    Students who have already completed the requisite health course will not be required to take the course a second time.

South Carolina Health and Safety Education Curriculum Standards

SECTION    4.    The State Department of Education may include language from any section of this act in the South Carolina Health and Safety Education Curriculum Standards.

Compliance before 2017-2018 school year required

SECTION    5.    School districts must begin complying with the provisions of this act no later than the 2017-2018 school year.

Time effective

SECTION    6.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Ratified the 19th day of April, 2016.

Approved the 21st day of April, 2016.

(A152, R157, H3265)

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, SO AS TO ENACT "RONALD ROUSE'S LAW"; TO AMEND SECTION 59-32-30, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOL COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT STUDENTS MUST RECEIVE INSTRUCTION IN CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION AND AWARENESS OF THE USE OF AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS AT LEAST ONCE DURING THE ENTIRE FOUR YEARS OF GRADES NINE THROUGH TWELVE, TO SPECIFY SKILLS THIS INSTRUCTION MUST INCLUDE, TO PROVIDE FOR ADAPTATION OF THE PROGRAM FOR VIRTUAL SCHOOLS, TO PROVIDE FOR WAIVERS IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, TO PROVIDE RELATED REQUIREMENTS OF LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WHO HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED THE REQUISITE HEALTH COURSE ARE NOT REQUIRED TO TAKE THE COURSE A SECOND TIME; TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT MAY INCLUDE LANGUAGE FROM ANY SECTION OF THIS ACT IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA HEALTH AND SAFETY EDUCATION CURRICULUM STANDARDS; AND TO PROVIDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS MUST BEGIN COMPLYING WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT NO LATER THAN THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Citation

SECTION    1.    This act may be referred to and cited as "Ronald Rouse's Law".

Instruction in CPR and AED use awareness in high schools

SECTION    2.    Section 59-32-30(A) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 58 of 2015, is further amended by adding an appropriately numbered item at the end to read:

"( )    At least one time during the entire four years of grades nine through twelve, each student shall receive instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which must include, but not be limited to, hands-only CPR and must include awareness in the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). Each school district shall use a program that incorporates the instruction of the psychomotor skills necessary to perform CPR developed by the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, or an instructional program that is nationally recognized and based on the most current national evidence-based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines for CPR and awareness in the use of an AED. Local and statewide school districts shall coordinate with entities that have the experience and necessary equipment for the instruction of CPR and awareness in the use of AEDs; provided, however, that virtual schools may administer the instruction virtually and are exempt from any in-person instructional requirements. A school district must adopt a policy providing a waiver for this requirement for a student absent on the day the instruction occurred, a student with a disability whose individualized education program indicates such student is unable to complete all or a portion of the hands-only CPR requirement, or a student whose parent or guardian completes, in writing, a form approved by the school district opting out of hands-only CPR instruction and AED awareness. The State Board of Education shall incorporate CPR training and AED awareness into the South Carolina Health and Safety Education Curriculum Standards and promulgate regulations to implement this section."

Exemption

SECTION    3.    Students who have already completed the requisite health course will not be required to take the course a second time.

South Carolina Health and Safety Education Curriculum Standards

SECTION    4.    The State Department of Education may include language from any section of this act in the South Carolina Health and Safety Education Curriculum Standards.

Compliance before 2017-2018 school year required

SECTION    5.    School districts must begin complying with the provisions of this act no later than the 2017-2018 school year.

Time effective

SECTION    6.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Ratified the 19th day of April, 2016.

Approved the 21st day of April, 2016.

(A152, R157, H3265)

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, SO AS TO ENACT "RONALD ROUSE'S LAW"; TO AMEND SECTION 59-32-30, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOL COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT STUDENTS MUST RECEIVE INSTRUCTION IN CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION AND AWARENESS OF THE USE OF AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS AT LEAST ONCE DURING THE ENTIRE FOUR YEARS OF GRADES NINE THROUGH TWELVE, TO SPECIFY SKILLS THIS INSTRUCTION MUST INCLUDE, TO PROVIDE FOR ADAPTATION OF THE PROGRAM FOR VIRTUAL SCHOOLS, TO PROVIDE FOR WAIVERS IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, TO PROVIDE RELATED REQUIREMENTS OF LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WHO HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED THE REQUISITE HEALTH COURSE ARE NOT REQUIRED TO TAKE THE COURSE A SECOND TIME; TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT MAY INCLUDE LANGUAGE FROM ANY SECTION OF THIS ACT IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA HEALTH AND SAFETY EDUCATION CURRICULUM STANDARDS; AND TO PROVIDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS MUST BEGIN COMPLYING WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT NO LATER THAN THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Citation

SECTION    1.    This act may be referred to and cited as "Ronald Rouse's Law".

Instruction in CPR and AED use awareness in high schools

SECTION    2.    Section 59-32-30(A) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 58 of 2015, is further amended by adding an appropriately numbered item at the end to read:

"( )    At least one time during the entire four years of grades nine through twelve, each student shall receive instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which must include, but not be limited to, hands-only CPR and must include awareness in the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). Each school district shall use a program that incorporates the instruction of the psychomotor skills necessary to perform CPR developed by the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, or an instructional program that is nationally recognized and based on the most current national evidence-based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines for CPR and awareness in the use of an AED. Local and statewide school districts shall coordinate with entities that have the experience and necessary equipment for the instruction of CPR and awareness in the use of AEDs; provided, however, that virtual schools may administer the instruction virtually and are exempt from any in-person instructional requirements. A school district must adopt a policy providing a waiver for this requirement for a student absent on the day the instruction occurred, a student with a disability whose individualized education program indicates such student is unable to complete all or a portion of the hands-only CPR requirement, or a student whose parent or guardian completes, in writing, a form approved by the school district opting out of hands-only CPR instruction and AED awareness. The State Board of Education shall incorporate CPR training and AED awareness into the South Carolina Health and Safety Education Curriculum Standards and promulgate regulations to implement this section."

Exemption

SECTION    3.    Students who have already completed the requisite health course will not be required to take the course a second time.

South Carolina Health and Safety Education Curriculum Standards

SECTION    4.    The State Department of Education may include language from any section of this act in the South Carolina Health and Safety Education Curriculum Standards.

Compliance before 2017-2018 school year required

SECTION    5.    School districts must begin complying with the provisions of this act no later than the 2017-2018 school year.

Time effective

SECTION    6.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Ratified the 19th day of April, 2016.

Approved the 21st day of April, 2016.

(A152, R157, H3265)

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, SO AS TO ENACT "RONALD ROUSE'S LAW"; TO AMEND SECTION 59-32-30, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOL COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT STUDENTS MUST RECEIVE INSTRUCTION IN CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION AND AWARENESS OF THE USE OF AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS AT LEAST ONCE DURING THE ENTIRE FOUR YEARS OF GRADES NINE THROUGH TWELVE, TO SPECIFY SKILLS THIS INSTRUCTION MUST INCLUDE, TO PROVIDE FOR ADAPTATION OF THE PROGRAM FOR VIRTUAL SCHOOLS, TO PROVIDE FOR WAIVERS IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, TO PROVIDE RELATED REQUIREMENTS OF LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WHO HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED THE REQUISITE HEALTH COURSE ARE NOT REQUIRED TO TAKE THE COURSE A SECOND TIME; TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT MAY INCLUDE LANGUAGE FROM ANY SECTION OF THIS ACT IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA HEALTH AND SAFETY EDUCATION CURRICULUM STANDARDS; AND TO PROVIDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS MUST BEGIN COMPLYING WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT NO LATER THAN THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Citation

SECTION    1.    This act may be referred to and cited as "Ronald Rouse's Law".

Instruction in CPR and AED use awareness in high schools

SECTION    2.    Section 59-32-30(A) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 58 of 2015, is further amended by adding an appropriately numbered item at the end to read:

"( )    At least one time during the entire four years of grades nine through twelve, each student shall receive instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which must include, but not be limited to, hands-only CPR and must include awareness in the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). Each school district shall use a program that incorporates the instruction of the psychomotor skills necessary to perform CPR developed by the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, or an instructional program that is nationally recognized and based on the most current national evidence-based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines for CPR and awareness in the use of an AED. Local and statewide school districts shall coordinate with entities that have the experience and necessary equipment for the instruction of CPR and awareness in the use of AEDs; provided, however, that virtual schools may administer the instruction virtually and are exempt from any in-person instructional requirements. A school district must adopt a policy providing a waiver for this requirement for a student absent on the day the instruction occurred, a student with a disability whose individualized education program indicates such student is unable to complete all or a portion of the hands-only CPR requirement, or a student whose parent or guardian completes, in writing, a form approved by the school district opting out of hands-only CPR instruction and AED awareness. The State Board of Education shall incorporate CPR training and AED awareness into the South Carolina Health and Safety Education Curriculum Standards and promulgate regulations to implement this section."

Exemption

SECTION    3.    Students who have already completed the requisite health course will not be required to take the course a second time.

South Carolina Health and Safety Education Curriculum Standards

SECTION    4.    The State Department of Education may include language from any section of this act in the South Carolina Health and Safety Education Curriculum Standards.

Compliance before 2017-2018 school year required

SECTION    5.    School districts must begin complying with the provisions of this act no later than the 2017-2018 school year.

Time effective

SECTION    6.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Ratified the 19th day of April, 2016.

Approved the 21st day of April, 2016.

e Returned to Senate with amendments (House Journal-page 83) 03/16/16 House Roll call Yeas-99 Nays-0 (House Journal-page 84) 03/23/16 Senate Concurred in House amendment and enrolled 04/19/16 Ratified R 157 04/21/16 Signed By Governor 04/27/16 Effective date 04/21/16 05/02/16 Act No. 152

---

H. 3265

(A152, R157, H3265)

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, SO AS TO ENACT "RONALD ROUSE'S LAW"; TO AMEND SECTION 59-32-30, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOL COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT STUDENTS MUST RECEIVE INSTRUCTION IN CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION AND AWARENESS OF THE USE OF AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS AT LEAST ONCE DURING THE ENTIRE FOUR YEARS OF GRADES NINE THROUGH TWELVE, TO SPECIFY SKILLS THIS INSTRUCTION MUST INCLUDE, TO PROVIDE FOR ADAPTATION OF THE PROGRAM FOR VIRTUAL SCHOOLS, TO PROVIDE FOR WAIVERS IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, TO PROVIDE RELATED REQUIREMENTS OF LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WHO HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED THE REQUISITE HEALTH COURSE ARE NOT REQUIRED TO TAKE THE COURSE A SECOND TIME; TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT MAY INCLUDE LANGUAGE FROM ANY SECTION OF THIS ACT IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA HEALTH AND SAFETY EDUCATION CURRICULUM STANDARDS; AND TO PROVIDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS MUST BEGIN COMPLYING WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT NO LATER THAN THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Citation

SECTION    1.    This act may be referred to and cited as "Ronald Rouse's Law".

Instruction in CPR and AED use awareness in high schools

SECTION    2.    Section 59-32-30(A) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 58 of 2015, is further amended by adding an appropriately numbered item at the end to read:

"( )    At least one time during the entire four years of grades nine through twelve, each student shall receive instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which must include, but not be limited to, hands-only CPR and must include awareness in the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). Each school district shall use a program that incorporates the instruction of the psychomotor skills necessary to perform CPR developed by the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, or an instructional program that is nationally recognized and based on the most current national evidence-based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines for CPR and awareness in the use of an AED. Local and statewide school districts shall coordinate with entities that have the experience and necessary equipment for the instruction of CPR and awareness in the use of AEDs; provided, however, that virtual schools may administer the instruction virtually and are exempt from any in-person instructional requirements. A school district must adopt a policy providing a waiver for this requirement for a student absent on the day the instruction occurred, a student with a disability whose individualized education program indicates such student is unable to complete all or a portion of the hands-only CPR requirement, or a student whose parent or guardian completes, in writing, a form approved by the school district opting out of hands-only CPR instruction and AED awareness. The State Board of Education shall incorporate CPR training and AED awareness into the South Carolina Health and Safety Education Curriculum Standards and promulgate regulations to implement this section."

Exemption

SECTION    3.    Students who have already completed the requisite health course will not be required to take the course a second time.

South Carolina Health and Safety Education Curriculum Standards

SECTION    4.    The State Department of Education may include language from any section of this act in the South Carolina Health and Safety Education Curriculum Standards.

Compliance before 2017-2018 school year required

SECTION    5.    School districts must begin complying with the provisions of this act no later than the 2017-2018 school year.

Time effective

SECTION    6.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Ratified the 19th day of April, 2016.

Approved the 21st day of April, 2016.

__________