State Rep. Dave Prestin on Wednesday voted in support of his plan to help people save lives by preventing blood loss. The bipartisan plan passed the House with broad support. The legislation would provide liability protections for people trying to stop bleeding wounds and ensure high school students learn bleeding control techniques.

“It’s notable that the majority of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle recognize, through their support, the far-reaching, positive impact this bipartisan legislation can have,” said Prestin, R-Cedar River. “Winter is here – which means road conditions are only going to get worse. When roads get bad, car accidents happen. By passing this legislation, we’ve taken the next step toward equipping the public with the tools and legal protections they need to stop when they find someone in a ditch and provide what could be lifesaving bleeding control techniques.”

Prestin was joined by state Reps. Mike Harris, R-Waterford, and Carrie Rheingans, D-Ann Arbor, in spearheading the legislation.

Prestin and Rheingans sponsored House Bills 5742 and 5743, which would add bleeding control to the state’s “Good Samaritan” law, which protects individuals from legal liability for attempting to save lives in certain emergencies. Harris sponsored House Bill 5741, which would require high school health courses to include instruction on bleeding control techniques.

The plan now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

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