State Rep. Dave Prestin on Thursday was proud to announce his bipartisan plan to help people save lives by preventing blood loss passed the House Judiciary Committee with unanimous support. The legislation would provide liability protections for people trying to stop bleeding wounds and ensure high school students learn bleeding control techniques.

“When a victim is experiencing major blood loss, death can be minutes away. There isn’t time for a potential savior to search online about how to stop blood loss. Its important for everyone to know blood loss control techniques and the rules about assisting at the scene of an accident before first responders arrive,” said Prestin, R-Cedar River. “Our Stop the Bleed plan ensures the general public has the education and legal protections they need to act without hesitation during an emergency.”

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. The law currently applies to administration of an opioid antagonist, CPR, and other emergency response situations. A person would still be liable for acts and omissions that amount to gross negligence or willful and wanton misconduct.

Harris sponsored House Bill 5741, which would require high school health courses to include instruction on bleeding control techniques. The bill strongly encourages hands-on training on the use of tourniquets, bandages, and other equipment in first aid response kits. Under the Michigan Merit Curriculum, students must complete a half-credit in health to graduate high school.

The plan now moves to the full House for further consideration.

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