State Representative Selina Bliss has introduced HB 2076, the FASTER Saves Lives Act, to improve emergency medical response on school campuses during life-threatening incidents.
The bill creates a framework allowing school districts and charter schools to provide advanced trauma medical training to designated employees, ensuring schools have on-site personnel who can deliver immediate care before paramedics arrive.
“Uncontrolled bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death after traumatic injury,” said Representative Bliss. “HB 2076 gives schools the option to prepare staff to act immediately when an emergency occurs.”
HB 2076 authorizes optional trauma response training for school employees, including hemorrhage control with tourniquets, airway support, chest injury stabilization, and coordination with law enforcement and emergency medical services. Training standards align with civilian and tactical emergency medical protocols and require periodic recertification.
Participation is voluntary for school systems and employees. The legislation does not require schools to arm staff, does not change firearm laws, and imposes no new requirements on participating districts. It also fits within existing school safety and emergency preparedness laws and applies Good Samaritan liability protections to trained employees acting within the scope of their training.
Schools often face emergency response delays due to campus size, access limitations, and distance from trauma centers. Military and civilian trauma studies show survival rates drop sharply when hemorrhage control is delayed, yet most school staff receive only basic first aid training that does not cover high-acuity injuries.
“Whether the emergency is an act of violence, a serious athletic injury, or a transportation accident, trained responders on site save lives,” Representative Bliss said.
Training costs are limited and may be covered through existing school safety grants, federal preparedness funds, or private partnerships. The bill does not impose unfunded mandates on schools.
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