House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018 Regular Session

Posted:	January 19, 2017 12:36 PM
From:	Representative Michael J. Driscoll
To:	All House members
Subject:	Requiring Heimlich Maneuver Training for Food Establishment Employees

In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation that would require food servers and supervisors of food establishments be trained in the Heimlich maneuver. According to the National Safety Council, choking is the fourth leading cause of unintentional death due to injury, with over 4,000 people dying in 2014. Studies report that the Heimlich maneuver has an 86% success rate when correctly administered. By providing food severs and supervisors who work at food establishments with proper Heimlich maneuver training we can ensure that should this emergency arise, there is someone near-by to properly provide this life-saving maneuver. My legislation is a free-standing act that would require all food servers and supervisors at a restaurant, hotel, or other establishment that serves food on premise receive proper training in the Heimlich maneuver by an instructor approved by the Department of Labor. Colleagues, it is our duty to ensure the safety of the citizens of this Commonwealth. Please join me in co-sponsoring this potentially life-saving legislation.
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Introduced as HB272