Leaders on both sides of a bill involving CPR education are working together to come to an agreement. Members of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee deferred action on Senate Bill 145 until next week. The bill requires schools to teach CPR to students at some point from seventh through 12th grade, and makes it a requirement for graduation. Proponents shared the importance of CPR and say if taught in schools, the half hour class equips thousands of South Dakotans with the ability to respond quickly. Opponents support CPR education but say there are several problems with the bill. Secretary of Education Doctor Melody Schopp says making the course a requirement for graduation is problematic. The bill lays out two options for the program, and Schopp says it’s important that the state doesn’t mandate or endorse curriculum. She says there are other ways to include CPR education in schools.
“We heard numerous times, and this is what I would really support, promote that we think about,” Schopp says. “There are many districts currently offering CPR and they’re doing that at a local level. It’s local control. They’re bringing these programs in, but they’re not making it and mandating it as that graduation requirement.”
Proponents and opponents are discussing other options for CPR education in hopes of finding a compromise. They share their findings before the Senate Health and Human Services Committee next week.