Rhode Island General Laws Title 16. Education § 16-22-15. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation training

(a) The department of elementary and secondary education shall develop and prescribe a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training course for public school students in the state. The course shall be established in accordance with the requirements and criteria obtained from the Red Cross and/or the American Heart Association and the director of the department of health.

(b) The department of elementary and secondary education shall promulgate course guidelines including the age or grade level of pupils required to receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training. This shall at a minimum include psychomotor skill-based cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training and an overview of automated external defibrillator (AED) use for all high school students prior to graduation. “ Psychomotor skill” is defined as the use of hands-on practicing to support cognitive learning. Cognitive-only training does not qualify. Formal certification is not required.

(c) The school committees of the several cities, towns, and school districts shall provide for the incorporation of the course in training in existing health education courses. The department of elementary and secondary education shall establish a procedure for monitoring adherence to this section.