The bill amends and reenacts section 18-5-22e of the Code of West Virginia to expand cardiac arrest response provisions to elementary schools. It mandates that schools develop a venue-specific cardiac emergency response plan that must be practiced annually. This plan should address the appropriate use of school personnel in responding to incidents of sudden cardiac arrest or similar life-threatening emergencies occurring on school grounds, including outside of athletic events. Additionally, the bill imposes requirements on coaches and personnel supervising youth sports league teams that practice or play on school grounds, ensuring they are familiar with the cardiac emergency response plan and trained in CPR and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs).

Key provisions include the requirement for schools to hold informational meetings about the warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest, the necessity for students to submit a signed form acknowledging receipt of the cardiac emergency response plan before participating in athletic activities, and the stipulation that no individual may coach without completing an annual sudden cardiac arrest training course. The bill also outlines the conditions under which a student may be prohibited from participating in athletic activities due to health concerns related to syncope or fainting, and it emphasizes collaboration with local emergency service providers to integrate the cardiac response plan into community protocols.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-5-22e
Committee Substitute: 18-5-22e
Committee Substitute for the Committee Substitute: 18-5-22e
Enrolled Version: 18-5-22e