25 signatures reached
To: Bill Lucas
Mo School Staff CPR and BLS Certification Act
I hope this letter finds you well. My name is Sarah Whitaker, and I am a school nurse at a public pre-K–8th grade school for Sunrise R-IX. I am writing to respectfully request your support and sponsorship of a proposed legislative initiative titled “Missouri School Staff CPR and BLS Certification Act.”
This proposal calls for a requirement that all public and charter school staff in Missouri obtain and maintain certification in both Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Basic Life Support (BLS). As someone working firsthand with children every day, I have witnessed the importance of having staff prepared to respond effectively in emergency situations.
This proposal calls for a requirement that all public and charter school staff in Missouri obtain and maintain certification in both Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Basic Life Support (BLS). As someone working firsthand with children every day, I have witnessed the importance of having staff prepared to respond effectively in emergency situations.
Missouri already mandates CPR instruction for high school students (RSMo 170.310), yet staff—who are often the first responders in the school environment—are not held to the same life-saving standard. This legislation would bridge that gap and ensure safer learning environments for all Missouri students.
I have enclosed the formal proposal with this letter, which outlines the rationale, implementation plan, and funding considerations. I would welcome the opportunity to speak further with you about the proposal and how we might move forward to protect our school communities through preventive preparedness.
Thank you for your time, service, and consideration of this critical issue. I look forward to your response and am happy to assist in any way to support the development of this legislation.
Objective:
Thank you for your time, service, and consideration of this critical issue. I look forward to your response and am happy to assist in any way to support the development of this legislation.
Objective:
To require all public and charter school staff in the state of Missouri to obtain and maintain certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Basic Life Support (BLS) to ensure the safety and well-being of students in emergency situations.
Rationale:
Sudden cardiac arrest can happen at any time and immediate CPR can double or triple the chances of survival. While Missouri law currently mandates CPR instruction for high school students (RSMo 170.310), it does not extend this life-saving requirement to school staff who are likely to be the first responders in a school setting. Ensuring that all school staff are trained in CPR and BLS enhances school preparedness and aligns with national safety and health recommendations.
Proposal Details:
Proposal Details:
1. Scope: All certified and non-certified staff employed by public and charter schools in Missouri.
2. Certification: Staff must obtain CPR and BLS certification through nationally recognized organizations such as the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.
3. Renewal: Certifications must be renewed every two years to maintain validity and up-to-date practices.
4. Implementation Timeline: All current staff must be certified within 12 months of the law’s enactment. New hires must provide proof of certification upon employment.
5. Funding: The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) may allocate funding or identify state and federal grants to subsidize training costs, ensuring equitable implementation. Schools may also choose to fund CPR/BLS instructor certification for school nurses or designated health personnel, allowing them to train school staff in-house and reduce long-term certification expenses.
6. Exemptions: Medical exemptions may apply with appropriate documentation from a licensed healthcare provider.
Expected Outcomes:
- Enhanced emergency response capabilities within school environments.
- Improved student safety and reduced risk of death from cardiac incidents on campus.
- Increased community confidence in the preparedness of school personnel.
Call to Action:
This proposal respectfully urges Missouri lawmakers to prioritize student safety and health by introducing and supporting legislation that requires school staff to be CPR and BLS certified. We believe this is a practical, life-saving initiative that aligns with both public health interests and educational safety standards.
Why is this important?
I believe that every student deserves to learn in a school environment where all staff are fully prepared to respond to medical emergencies. Sudden cardiac arrest and other life-threatening events can happen at any time, and trained, confident staff can mean the difference between life and death. We respectfully urge the Missouri State Legislature to introduce and support a law requiring all public and charter school staff in Missouri to be certified in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Basic Life Support (BLS). This law would help ensure safer schools, empower educators and staff to act in emergencies, and align Missouri with best practices in school health and safety. By signing this petition, we voice our support for this common-sense, life-saving legislation and call on lawmakers to prioritize student safety.