HB 312

AN ACT TO CREATE THE CARL RACKLEY AIRWAY EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS ACT; TO DEFINE "AIRWAY CLEARANCE DEVICE" AND "COVERED FACILITY"; TO PROVIDE THAT BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2027, EACH COVERED FACILITY SHALL MAINTAIN AT LEAST ONE AIRWAY CLEARANCE DEVICE IN A VISIBLE AND ACCESSIBLE LOCATION IN THE FACILITY, AND ENSURE THAT BASIC WRITTEN OR PICTORIAL INSTRUCTIONS ARE DISPLAYED ALONGSIDE THE DEVICE; TO ENCOURAGE COVERED FACILITIES TO PROVIDE THEIR STAFF WITH BRIEF INSTRUCTIONAL TRAINING OR DEMONSTRATION VIDEOS AS PROVIDED BY THE DEVICE MANUFACTURER; TO PROVIDE CIVIL IMMUNITY TO PERSONS WHO USE AN AIRWAY CLEARANCE DEVICE IN GOOD FAITH AND WITHOUT COMPENSATION TO RENDER EMERGENCY AID; TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO INCLUDE COMPLIANCE CHECKS AS PART OF ROUTINE HEALTH INSPECTIONS FOR COVERED FACILITIES THAT ARE LICENSED OR INSPECTED BY THE DEPARTMENT; TO PROVIDE THAT FOR A FACILITY THAT IS FOUND TO BE NONCOMPLIANT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ACT, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ISSUE A WRITTEN WARNING FOR THE FIRST VIOLATION; TO PROVIDE THAT FOR A SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT VIOLATION, THE DEPARTMENT MAY FINE THE FACILITY NOT MORE THAN $100.00 FOR EACH OCCURRENCE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.