Press Office

April 2005

FOR RELEASE:
Tuesday, April 26, 2005

CONTACT:
Dan Hopkins 303-866-6324
Mark Salley 303-866-6323

OWENS SIGNS LEGISLATION REQUIRING SCHOOLS TO ACCEPT DONATIONS OF AUTOMATIC DEFIBRILLATORS
SB 170 - "David's Law" - will help make life saving devices more readily available

(DENVER) – Gov. Bill Owens today signed Senate Bill 170 requiring school districts to accept donations of working Automatic External Defibrillators that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Schools also will be required to accept monetary donations for the purchase of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) or for the inspection, maintenance or training in its use.

SB 170, sponsored by Sen. Nancy Spence (R-Centennial) and Rep. Angie Paccione (D- Fort Collins), is known as "David's Law" in memory of David Brooks who, at the age of 12, died of sudden cardiac arrest while attending a summer camp. David's parents, Paul and Laurie, were told that an AED probably would have saved their son's life.

"There are times that something positive can occur in the aftermath of a terrible tragedy. This is one of those times. The commitment made by Paul and Laurie Brooks led to the introduction and passage of 'David's Law'. It is important that our schools have immediate access to an AED when an emergency situation arises. These devices, and this legislation, will save lives," Owens said.

Last year, Paul and Laurie chose to make a donation from their son's memorial fund to help purchase AEDs for public schools. However, after meeting some resistance and delay, they decided to pursue legislation.

Along with requiring public schools to accept the donations, the bill also will protect a Good Samaritan who, acting out of good faith, helps someone by using an AED in an emergency.

Paul and Laurie Brooks attended the bill signing and made this statement: "There is nothing more painful than losing a child. If by donating an AED we can save even one other family the heartache and pain, it will be worth the effort. We hope that David's Law will be a stepping stone toward raising state awareness of the cause and making an AED in schools as standard as a fire extinguisher."

Owens cited these statistics from the American Heart Association:

• Out of every 1,000 children born this year, eight will have heart defects.
• Every year, 7,000 children die as a result of sudden cardiac arrest.
• For every one minute that defibrillation is delayed, the survival rate decreases by 7 to 10 percent.

"AEDs are becoming common in businesses, airports and even here at the State Capitol. And now with this legislation, hopefully they will become readily available in our schools," Owens said.