Bill Named for Perry Hall High Student Becomes Law

A bill named for a Perry Hall High School student was signed into law this week.

A group of bystanders including coaches and parents saved the life of Breanna Sudano, a field hockey player at Perry Hall, by performing CPR on her after she collapsed during a field hockey match in 2011. At the time, she was 13 and a freshman.

"Breanna's Law," which Gov. Martin O'Malley signed into law Monday, requires all public school students in Maryland to learn hands-only CPR and how to use an AED in order to graduate.

According to the Perry Hall High School PTSA, Kellie Warner from the American Heart Association spoke at the association's April meeting and said the passage of the bill was "a huge accomplishment for our advocacy team, as a similar bill never even made it out of committee last year."

Delegate Jon Cardin, D-Baltimore County, who sponsored the bill this year, said its passage was a positive step for public safety in Maryland. "With only a one-time 30 minute training, we can save lives," Cardin told The Bay Net. "I’m excited to see all high school students get the chance to literally become life-savers."

The requirement takes effect for students entering ninth grade in the 2015–2016 school year.

Related:

• Field Hockey Player Saved by CPR to be Honored
• With Heart Surgery, Student Could Play Sports Again