N.Y. Education Law § 3001-b: First aid instruction mandatory for coaches of extra-class public school athletic activities

§ 3001-b. First aid instruction mandatory for coaches of extra-class

public school athletic activities. 1. On and after the effective date of

this section, in addition to any provision of law or rule or regulation

of the department related to the requirements necessary for teachers

within the public school systems, whether certified in physical

education or not, to coach any extra-class athletic activity, it shall

be required of such teachers, except as provided in subdivision two or

three of this section, to hold a valid certificate of completion of a

course of study in first aid knowledge and skills offered by a

nationally recognized organization, as defined in paragraph (d) of

subdivision one of section three thousand-b of the public health law and

approved by the commissioner, or to meet equivalent requirements as

certified by the commissioner. Any such course of study or equivalent

requirements must include instruction in recognizing signs and symptoms

of cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac arrest and the administration of

adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Prior to the start of each sports

season, coaches must provide valid evidence to their chief school

officer that their first aid and adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation

knowledge and skills are current pursuant to the requirements

established by a nationally recognized organization, as defined in

paragraph (d) of subdivision one of section three thousand-b of the

public health law and approved by the commissioner, or that they meet

equivalent requirements as certified by the commissioner.

2. Except as provided in subdivision three of this section, persons

who have been employed as coaches of extra-class athletic activities in

a public school system on the effective date of this section who do not

hold a valid certificate of completion of a course of study in first aid

knowledge and skills pursuant to subdivision one of this section may

continue to coach such sports, provided, however, that such coaches do

receive such certification required in subdivision one of this section

as soon as practicable after the effective date of this section but not

later than twelve months thereafter, provided, however, that the

commissioner shall have the authority to establish by rule or regulation

an additional time schedule for compliance with this section.

3. A teacher or person who is unable to hold a valid certificate of

completion of a course of study in first aid knowledge and skills

pursuant to subdivision one of this section due to a physical disability

may coach any extra-class athletic activity if there is another teacher

or person employed by the public school system who holds a valid

certificate of completion pursuant to subdivision one of this section

and is present with such teacher or person who is unable to hold such

certificate of completion at all times during the extra-class athletic

activities including but not limited to practices, scrimmages and during

competition.