Code Section

51225.6.  

(a) If the governing board of a school district or the governing body of a charter school requires a course in health education for graduation from high school, the governing board of a school district or the governing body of a charter school shall include, commencing with the 2018–19 school year, instruction in performing compression-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This instruction shall include both of the following:

(1) An instructional program based on national evidence-based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines for the performance of compression-only CPR, such as those developed by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.

(2) Instruction to pupils relative to the psychomotor skills necessary to perform compression-only CPR. For purposes of this paragraph, “psychomotor skills” means skills that pupils are required to perform as hands-on practice to support cognitive learning.

(b) Before the commencement of the 2017–18 school year, the department shall provide guidance on how to implement this section, including, but not limited to, who may provide instruction pursuant to this section.

(c) The governing board of a school district or the governing body of a charter school is encouraged to provide to pupils general information on the use and importance of an automated external defibrillator (AED). The physical presence of an AED in the classroom is not required.

(d) The governing board of a school district or the governing body of a charter school may adopt policies to implement this section.

(e) (1) The governing board of a school district or the governing body of a charter school providing instruction in performing compression-only CPR or information on the use of an AED pursuant to this section is encouraged to use the most cost-effective means possible to implement that requirement.

(2) This section shall not be construed to require the governing board of a school district or the governing body of a charter school to make any purchases, including, but not limited to, purchasing an AED.

(f) (1) A local agency, entity of state or local government, or other public or private organization that sponsors, authorizes, supports, finances, or supervises the instruction of pupils in compression-only CPR or the use of an AED pursuant to this section shall not be liable for any civil damages alleged to result from the acts or omissions of an individual who received such instruction.

(2) A public employee who provides or facilitates the instruction of pupils in compression-only CPR or the use of an AED pursuant to this section shall not be liable for any civil damages alleged to result from the acts or omissions of an individual who received such instruction.

(3) This subdivision shall not be construed to grant immunity from civil damages to any person who provides or facilitates the instruction of pupils in compression-only CPR or the use of an AED in a manner that constitutes gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.