2025 -- S 0391

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- SCHOOL TRAUMA KIT ACT

     Introduced By: Senators Sosnowski, DiPalma, Britto, Lawson, and Murray

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2025

     Referred To: Senate Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 16 of the General Laws entitled "EDUCATION" is hereby amended by

adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 91.2

SCHOOL TRAUMA KIT ACT

     16-91.2-1. Trauma kits in educational settings.

     (a) Every public and private elementary and secondary school within the State of Rhode

Island shall provide and maintain clearly visible and easily accessible trauma kits as described in

subsection (b) of this section. The quantity and type of trauma kits shall be determined by the

commissioner of education, in consultation with the director of the department of health, after due

consideration of trauma-type first aid kits recommended by the Department of Homeland Security,

and shall be adequate to ensure ready and appropriate access for use during emergencies.

     (b) Each trauma kit shall include at a minimum the following supplies: tourniquet; gloves

and marker; scissors; instructions; compression bandages; and bleeding control bandages and any

other supplies determined necessary by the director pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of

this section.

     (c) Whenever school facilities are used for school-sponsored or school-approved curricular

or extracurricular activities, and whenever a school-sponsored athletic contest is held at any

location, the school officials and administrators responsible for the school facility or athletic contest

shall ensure the presence of at least one person who is properly trained in the administration of first

aid and use of the trauma kit.

     (d) No person, whether acting in an official capacity or as a private volunteer, who

gratuitously renders emergency assistance to a person who experiences a traumatic bleeding injury,

shall be liable for civil damages for any personal injuries which result from acts or omissions by

the person rendering the emergency care, which may constitute ordinary negligence; provided,

however that, this immunity applies only to:

     (1) Persons who have been trained in accordance with standards promulgated by the US

Department of Homeland Security or the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma

(ACS COT) or an equivalent program as approved by the department of health;

     (2) Persons providing approved training in traumatic bleeding injuries;

     (3) Property lessees and owners where the emergency assistance occurs; and

     (4) The owners of the actual life-saving equipment.

     (e) Immunity from civil liability pursuant to the provisions of subsection (d) of this section,

shall not extend or apply to acts or omissions constituting intentional harm or willful, wanton or

gross negligence.

     (f) The director of the department of health is hereby authorized to promulgate rules and

regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this section.

     (g) Any elementary or secondary school may accept funding for the trauma kits from

grants, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, parent-teacher organizations, private parties and

government entities.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2027.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- SCHOOL TRAUMA KIT ACT

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     This act would require that every elementary and secondary school within the State of

Rhode Island, whether they are public or privately run, provide and maintain clearly visible and

easily accessible trauma kits. This act would also provide for immunity for trained persons that

gratuitously render emergency assistance to a person who experiences a traumatic bleeding injury.

     This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

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