BILL NUMBER: S1269
SPONSOR: ADDABBO
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to the use of airway
clearance devices in schools
 
PURPOSE:
This bill aims to ensure that each school, whether they are public or
private, has at least one non-invasive airway-clearing device ready for
use in the event of one being needed.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of the bill amends the education law by adding a new section
924 to require each public and non-public school with an airway clear-
ance device on premises to develop policies and training on the use of
such airway clearance device. The cost of training nurses and staff in
airway management and the use of airway clearance devices may be reim-
bursed if necessary as determined by the school board.
Section 2 of the bill establishes the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
In the event of a choking emergency, an airway-clearing device is easy
to use and can be utilized by anyone. This device has been FDA-regis-
tered and has been extremely helpful for those who are in wheelchairs.
The traditional way of helping someone choke is to hold them up, which
is very hard for those in wheelchairs. This device is what will solve
this problem. In a study conducted by Mathew J. Mckinley, Mckinley
found that 10 of his patients who were wheelchair-bound had difficulty
making abdominal thrusts, which is the traditional way of helping some-
one who is choking. However, when the traditional anti-choking methods
do not work the only thing left to do is wait for emergency personnel or
continue with a protocol that is not working. The airway-clearing device
has been proven to not only be helpful to those who are wheelchair-bound
but to those who have Down Syndrome. Those who have Down Syndrome are
more prone to face choking emergencies. According to the Global Down
Syndrome Foundation children with Down Syndrome can be prone to choking
due to physical or medical issues that come from their condition. This
foundation also stated those who have Down Syndrome suffer among other
things such as issues with oral motor skill deve lopment which can cause
difficulty with eating and thus make them more prone to choking. The
American disability act states that "all individuals regardless of disa-
bility need to have the same measures to be rescued in a choking emer-
gency." Having airway devices in schools will create equal measures for
students who have a disability to be rescued in a choking emergency.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2022: S8536A(Thomas)- Passed Senate.
2023: S.7018- Referred toSeante Education Committee.
2024: S.7018- Reported toSenate Finance Committee.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become a law; with provisions.