Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee OKs bill to require portable airway‑clearance devices in schools after testimony from families and vendors
Summary
The Senate Education Committee released S908 following testimony from Maverick's Legacy and vendor LifeVac about airway‑clearance devices as a supplement to standard choking protocols; committee members pressed on device verification, liability and costs before advancing the bill.
The Senate Education Committee advanced Senate Bill 908 on March 17 after several hours of testimony from family advocates, vendors and disability stakeholders.
Kim and Darren Chambers of Maverick’s Legacy described the choking death of their infant son Maverick and urged lawmakers to require portable airway‑clearance devices in schools as an additional tool when back blows and abdominal thrusts fail. "If we or any of the first responders had a portable anti choking device...Maverick's choking accident would have had a different ending," Kim Chambers told the committee.
Heidi Felix, vice president of sales for LifePak (a U.S. manufacturer of airway‑clearance devices), said her company’s device and similar products have been used in thousands of reported rescues and cited peer‑reviewed studies and an American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council endorsement of device use as a backup in select circumstances. Felix said units retail for about $70 and that masks (single‑use components) carry a 2–3 year expiration. Advocates and people with muscular dystrophy described situations — for example wheelchair users or nonverbal individuals — where conventional Heimlich/back‑blow techniques are not feasible and a suction device can be the only viable option.
Committee members questioned how the bill would guard against counterfeit or untested products and who would certify devices for use. Witnesses pointed out that the bill requires FDA‑registered devices and that existing market alternatives lacking FDA registration are a concern. Some committee members urged adding language to ensure credible vendors and a clear state verification process so small districts do not simply ‘check the box’ with unverified products.
Senator Corrado moved to release S908 with a second; roll call recorded affirmative votes from the senators present and the bill was released to the next stage. Supporters urged that the Legislature consider indemnity language so schools will accept donated units, and several witnesses encouraged a state budget allocation or grants to help districts adopt devices without shifting costs to already‑strained local budgets.
What happens next: S908 was released from committee; sponsors and stakeholders will work on procurement and verification language and potential budget support for districts.
