07 LC 33
1664
House
Resolution 412
By:
Representatives Wilkinson of the
52nd,
Cooper of the
41st,
Dempsey of the
13th,
Sims of the
119th,
Jackson of the
161st,
and others
A
RESOLUTION
Creating
the Joint Study Committee on Layperson Training in Automated External
Defibrillators; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
heart disease is a leading cause of death in Georgia; and
WHEREAS,
a cardiac arrest victim´s chance of survival drops 10 percent for every
minute that passes before his or her heart is returned to normal rhythm;
and
WHEREAS,
because most cardiac arrest victims are initially in ventricular fibrillation,
and the only treatment for ventricular fibrillation is defibrillation, prompt
access to defibrillation to return the heart to normal rhythm is essential;
and
WHEREAS,
lifesaving technology, the automated external defibrillator, has been developed
to allow trained lay rescuers to respond to cardiac arrest by using this simple
device to shock the heart into normal rhythm; and
WHEREAS,
those people who are likely to be first on the scene of a cardiac arrest
situation in many communities, particularly smaller and rural communities, lack
sufficient numbers of automated external defibrillators to respond to cardiac
arrest in a timely manner; and
WHEREAS,
the American Heart Association estimates that many deaths could be prevented
each year if defibrillators were more widely available; and
WHEREAS,
increasingly more government entities and private businesses are procuring and
making available automated external defibrillators for use by laypersons when an
emergency occurs, and because of the prevalence of these defibrillators, it has
been encouraged that all able persons obtain training on their use;
and
WHEREAS,
a study should be conducted to identify ways to encourage laypersons to receive
training and certification in the use of automated external defibrillators in
this state, including, but not limited to, possible mandatory courses or
portions of courses in other classes, such as health, in the use of automated
external defibrillators in public high schools, inclusion of training in
defibrillators in required driver´s education courses, reduction in rates
in automobile insurance, reduction of fees in obtaining a driver´s license,
and other possible ideas.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY that there is created the
Joint Study Committee on Layperson Training in External Automated Defibrillators
to be composed of three members of the House of Representatives to be appointed
by the Speaker and three members of the Senate to be appointed by the Lieutenant
Governor. The Speaker and the Lieutenant Governor shall each designate a member
of the committee as cochairpersons of the committee. The cochairpersons shall
call all meetings of the committee.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall
appoint an advisory panel to assist the members of the committee. The advisory
panel shall consist of seven members as follows: one representative from the
Medical Association of Georgia, one representative from the Georgia Hospital
Association, one person representing emergency medical technicians; and one
representative each from the Department of Education, Department of Human
Resources, Department of Community Health, and Department of Driver
Services.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall undertake a study of the
conditions, needs, issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and
recommend any actions or legislation which the committee deems necessary or
appropriate. The committee may conduct such meetings at such places and at such
times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and
effectively its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish the objectives and
purposes of this resolution. The legislative members of the committee shall
receive the allowances authorized for legislative members of interim legislative
committees but shall receive the same for not more than five days. Members of
the advisory panel shall receive no compensation for their services to the
committee and shall not be reimbursed for expenses incurred by them in the
performance of their duties as advisers to the committee. The funds necessary
to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from the funds
appropriated to the House of Representatives and the Senate. In the event that
the committee makes a report of its findings and recommendations for proposed
legislation, such report shall be made no later than December 31, 2007. The
committee shall stand abolished on December 31, 2007.