SR 8610
In CommitteeSenate
Cardiovascular disease
Recognizing the rise of cardiovascular disease as the world's leading cause of death and disability and supporting the recognition of February 2025 as "American Heart Month."
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This resolution raises awareness about cardiac arrest in Washington and across the U.S., highlighting how quick action—especially CPR—can save lives. It urges households and communities to learn CPR and prepare for emergencies, and formally designates February 2025 as American Heart Month in Washington State.
- Declares February 2025 as American Heart Month in Washington State to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease and cardiac arrest.
- Highlights that over 350,000 people experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital each year, with only about 1 in 10 surviving.
- Emphasizes that immediate CPR can double or triple survival chances, yet only 46% of cardiac arrest victims receive bystander CPR.
- Encourages CPR and AED (automated external defibrillator) training and accessibility, and promotes community-wide preparedness through emergency response planning.
- Supports the American Heart Association’s goal of doubling cardiac arrest survival by 2030 by empowering bystanders to act as 'lifesavers'.
Who is affected
- General public / households — Households and community members are encouraged to learn CPR and prepare for cardiac emergencies, increasing their ability to respond if someone experiences cardiac arrest at home or in public spaces.
- Schools and youth sports programs — Schools, sports organizations, and youth programs may be encouraged to adopt or strengthen cardiac emergency response plans, train staff in CPR, and ensure AED availability.
- Emergency medical services and first responders — Emergency medical services (EMS) and first responders may benefit from increased bystander CPR and AED use, improving overall survival rates and reducing strain during cardiac arrest events.
- Healthcare providers and organizations — Healthcare providers and organizations may see increased demand for CPR and AED training, as well as opportunities to support community outreach and education efforts.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
Raises public awareness about cardiac arrest prevalence, survival rates, and the life-saving impact of immediate bystander CPR, potentially increasing bystander intervention rates and improving outcomes.
Public SafetyRef: Preamble and whereas clauses (e.g., ‘only about 1 in 10 survive’; ‘CPR… can double or triple a person's chance of survival’; ‘only about 46% receive bystander CPR’)Encourages community-wide CPR and AED training, which—while voluntary—may increase layperson readiness to respond during cardiac emergencies, especially in homes and public spaces.
Public SafetyRef: Whereas clause: ‘we must increase the number of people who respond to cardiac arrest by calling 911, delivering high-quality CPR, and using an AED’; ‘urge every household to join the Nation of Lifesavers and learn CPR’Promotes integration of cardiac emergency response planning into schools, youth sports, and community settings, potentially increasing AED availability and school-based preparedness.
Public SafetyRef: Whereas clause: ‘CPR education, and automated external defibrillator (AED) training and accessibility’; ‘empowered to become a vital link in the chain of survival’Aligns Washington State with a national public health initiative to reduce cardiac arrest mortality, reinforcing long-term commitment to bystander intervention as a public health priority.
Public SafetyRef: Whereas clause: ‘The American Heart Association has set a goal of doubling the survival from cardiac arrest by 2030 by turning bystanders into lifesavers’Formal designation of American Heart Month provides symbolic recognition and may catalyze local outreach campaigns, media coverage, and volunteer efforts by health organizations.
Public SafetyRef: Resolution text: ‘do hereby proclaim February 2025 to be American Heart Month’
Who Is Most Affected
General public—especially those living with or near individuals at risk for cardiac arrest—may benefit from increased awareness and training, improving odds of timely bystander intervention. While no direct financial cost is imposed, some may invest time/money in training.
Schools and youth sports programs may be encouraged to adopt or strengthen cardiac emergency response plans, train staff, and install AEDs. While this improves safety, it may impose modest costs on under-resourced districts unless federal/state grants offset them.
EMS and first responders may benefit from increased bystander CPR and AED use, reducing strain during cardiac arrest events and improving survival outcomes. No direct cost or burden is imposed on them by this resolution.
Healthcare providers and organizations may see increased demand for CPR/AED training and community outreach, creating new opportunities—but no mandate—to participate in public education efforts.