Bill fosters CPR and AED training in schools

November 16, 2001

The Teaching Children to Save Lives Act (S. 727), sponsored by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Russell Feingold (D-WI), passed the Senate on November 16th and is headed to the House. The legislation allows local school districts to apply for federal grants to implement cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training programs. Schools would work in conjunction with community organizations--such as the American Heart Association, fire and police departments, hospitals, and parent-teacher associations-- to begin CPR training in grades six through 12. The bill authorizes $30 million over three years to purchase CPR materials such as mannequins and to train teachers as instructors. Schools that already have CPR training programs would be able to apply for grants to implement training for AEDs