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Committee approves bill allowing schools to accept and place airway-clearance devices to address choking risks
Summary
Senators heard that donations of airway-clearance devices could provide an additional tool to prevent fatal choking at campus dining areas; HB 549 was reported favorably by the committee.
A bill to allow public schools to receive donated airway-clearance devices and place them in campus locations where students eat advanced through the Senate Committee on Education Friday with broad support and no opposition testimony.
House Bill 549, presented by Sen. Johnson, would permit school districts to procure airway-clearance devices via donated funds or direct device donations and place them where students consume food. The sponsor said airway-clearance devices provide an additional option beyond trained responders performing the Heimlich maneuver and could reduce the risk of fatal airway obstruction in school dining areas.
Sen. Campbell expressed general support and said he would coauthor the bill. There was no public testimony for or against the measure.
After discussion, the committee voted to report HB 549 favorably to the full Senate. The clerk recorded 11 ayes and 0 nays on the final roll call.
The bill’s language allows districts to accept donated devices or funds and to place devices at "significant locations" on campus, as described by the sponsor. The committee made no amendments on the floor during the session.
The committee recommended HB 549 for the local calendar and the measure will move to the full Senate under the committee’s recommendations.
