The bill amends Chapter 16-21 of the General Laws, titled "Health and Safety of Pupils," by introducing a new section, 16-21-43, which mandates that at least eighty percent (80%) of teachers in each school district be trained in the Basic Emergency and Response Skills (BEARS) curriculum. This training includes essential skills such as hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the Heimlich maneuver, and bleeding control, and must be completed within the last three (3) years. The implementation of this training will occur over a three-year period, requiring one-third (1/3) of teachers to complete the BEARS training each year until the target percentage is met by the end of the 2027-2028 school year. Additionally, starting in the 2025-2026 school year, the BEARS curriculum will expand to include safety training related to SARS-COV-2.

The bill also stipulates that time spent on BEARS training will count towards teachers' professional development requirements. The Department of Education will verify compliance with the training percentage, while allowing individual districts autonomy in implementation. Furthermore, teachers who complete the training and provide emergency care will be granted immunity from civil damages for ordinary negligence, although this immunity does not extend to gross, willful, or wanton negligence. Each school district is required to allocate funding for the training of faculty members from unallocated fiscal year funds. The act will take effect upon passage.