Directs the commissioner of education to collaborate with the department of health and other health organizations to establish regulations for a sepsis awareness and prevention program for school districts, boards of cooperative educational services and nonpublic schools.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A6053A
SPONSOR: Nolan (MS) TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the education law and the public
health law, in relation to a sepsis awareness, prevention and education
program
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill will establish a sepsis awareness, prevention and education
program within the department to educate students, parents and school
personnel about sepsis awareness on sepsis.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends Education Law to establish a sepsis awareness,
prevention and education program within the State Education Department.
The bill requires the Commissioner of Education to collaborate with the
Commissioner of Health, organizations that promote sepsis awareness, as
well as other interested parties, to develop a sepsis awareness,
prevention and education program. The program must include a model
curriculum, lesson plans and instructional resources that can be made
available to every school district at no cost relating to sepsis aware-
ness and prevention; up to date instructional tools and materials for
schools and libraries developed in collaboration with the Commissioner
of Health; and provide that the Department of Education post on its
website information relating to sepsis awareness and prevention. In
addition, the Commissioner of Education must issue a guidance memorandum
to every school district to inform them of the availability of sepsis
awareness and prevention materials and encourage them to develop poli-
cies and procedures on when parents are to be notified of illness or
injuries to their child occurring in school. Annually, in September, the
Commissioner of Education must remi nd school districts of the avail-
ability of sepsis materials as part of sepsis awareness month.
Section 2 amends Education Law to require the detection of the signs and
symptoms of sepsis as part of course work or training in infection
control practices.
Section 3 amends Public Health Law to require the detection of the signs
and symptoms of sepsis as part of course work or training in infection
control practices
Section 4 requires the detection of the signs and symptoms of sepsis as
part of course work or training in infection control practices to
commence on or before July 1, 2022.
Section 5 provides for the enactment date.
JUSTIFICATION:
Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening complication of an infection
that affects over 1 million Americans each year. In March 2012, Rory
Staunton, a healthy 12 year old boy, died of sepsis after cutting his
arm during gym class. His symptoms went unrecognized by all around him.
If sepsis is diagnosed early enough, it can be treated successfully.
Raising awareness about prevention and symptoms of sepsis through educa-
tion and outreach programs can help prevent another tragedy and save a
child's life.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Unknown.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
July 1st after enactment.
