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High school grads in Missouri will soon have to have basic CPR training

A bill signed by Gov. Jay Nixon requires Missouri high school students to receive basic CPR training before graduating.
A bill signed by Gov. Jay Nixon requires Missouri high school students to receive basic CPR training before graduating.

Gov. Jay Nixon has signed legislation requiring high school students in Missouri to receive basic CPR training before graduating.

Senate Bill 711 doesn't require students to become CPR certified, but it does require them to attend a 30-minute presentation on how to perform hands-only CPR, along with the Heimlich maneuver "or other first aid for choking."

"Basic first aid can sometimes be the difference between life and death," Nixon said in a written statement. "Making sure young people are familiar with CPR and the Heimlich maneuver is a prudent addition to their coursework in physical education."

  The new law was sponsored by state Sen. Dan Brown,R-Rolla.

A bill signed by Gov. Jay Nixon requires Missouri high school students to receive basic CPR training before graduating.
A bill signed by Gov. Jay Nixon requires Missouri high school students to receive basic CPR training before graduating.

"This is something that kids can use all their lives," he said.  "Even if they're not paying much attention in class, they're going to pick up enough to save someone's life, and I thought it was very, very important that it be included in schools."

Brown also said the American Heart Association will pay for the program and that it won't cost the state any money.

"What we hope to do with this idea is get kids a little more interested," he said.  "There is actually a film presentation, and the American Heart Association will provide little dummies that they have … they can be reused over and over."

The 30-minute CPR requirement won't take effect until the 2017-2018 school year.  It will apply to both public high schools and charter schools in Missouri.

Follow Marshall Griffin on Twitter:  @MarshallGReport

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Missouri Public Radio State House Reporter Marshall Griffin is a proud alumnus of the University of Mississippi (a.k.a., Ole Miss), and has been in radio for over 20 years, starting out as a deejay. His big break in news came when the first President Bush ordered the invasion of Panama in 1989. Marshall was working the graveyard shift at a rock station, and began ripping news bulletins off the old AP teletype and reading updates between songs. From there on, his radio career turned toward news reporting and anchoring. In 1999, he became the capital bureau chief for Florida's Radio Networks, and in 2003 he became News Director at WFSU-FM/Florida Public Radio. During his time in Tallahassee he covered seven legislative sessions, Governor Jeb Bush's administration, four hurricanes, the Terri Schiavo saga, and the 2000 presidential recount. Before coming to Missouri, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Blue Ridge Mountains, reporting and anchoring for WWNC-AM in Asheville, North Carolina. Marshall lives in Jefferson City with his wife, Julie, their dogs, Max and Mason, and their cat, Honey.
Marshall Griffin
St. Louis Public Radio State House Reporter Marshall Griffin is a native of Mississippi and proud alumnus of Ole Miss (welcome to the SEC, Mizzou!). He has been in radio for over 20 years, starting out as a deejay. His big break in news came when the first President Bush ordered the invasion of Panama in 1989. Marshall was working the graveyard shift at a rock station, and began ripping news bulletins off an old AP teletype and reading updates between songs. From there on, his radio career turned toward news reporting and anchoring. In 1999, he became the capital bureau chief for Florida's Radio Networks, and in 2003 he became News Director at WFSU-FM/Florida Public Radio. During his time in Tallahassee he covered seven legislative sessions, Governor Jeb Bush's administration, four hurricanes, the Terri Schiavo saga, and the 2000 presidential recount. Before coming to Missouri, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Blue Ridge Mountains, reporting and anchoring for WWNC-AM in Asheville, North Carolina. Marshall lives in Jefferson City with his wife, Julie, their dogs, Max and Liberty Belle, and their cat, Honey.