HF4655

Purpose

To strengthen safety in child care settings by requiring pediatric CPR training for child care center staff and volunteers. The goal is to ensure staff can respond to emergencies involving infants and children and to standardize the training across centers.

Who must be trained

• Directors, staff, substitutes, and unsupervised volunteers at child care centers.

Key training requirements

• CPR training must be completed if the prior CPR training was not within the previous two years.
• For unsupervised direct contact with a child, CPR training must be completed before such contact begins, but no later than the first 90 days of employment.
• Training must be provided by an individual approved to provide pediatric CPR instruction.
• The curriculum must cover:
  • CPR techniques for infants and children
  • Treatment of obstructed airways
  • How to perform back blows on infants and abdominal thrusts on children
• The training must include hands-on practice and an in-person observed skills assessment, conducted under the direct supervision of a CPR instructor.
• The training program must be developed by the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, or another organization that uses nationally recognized evidence-based guidelines for CPR.
• The training must be repeated at least every two calendar years.
• The pediatric CPR training cannot be used to meet in-service training requirements under subdivision 9.

How this changes current law

• Adds a mandatory, regularly refreshed pediatric CPR requirement specifically for child care workers and volunteers.
• Establishes a clear timeline (within 90 days for new unsupervised staff) and a two-year renewal cycle.
• Specifies required content, instructional quality (approved instructors), and assessment methods (hands-on, in-person skills check).
• Ties the standard to nationally recognized guidelines and named organizations (AHA, Red Cross) for consistency.

Compliance and oversight (implied)

• Centers must track training status for directors, staff, substitutes, and unsupervised volunteers.
• Training providers must be approved to deliver pediatric CPR instruction.
• Centers must ensure new hires complete the training within the 90-day window before unsupervised care.

Significance

• Aims to improve emergency readiness in child care environments.
• Seeks consistency in training quality and content across facilities.
• Emphasizes hands-on skills and real-world applicability (infants and children, airway obstruction).

Relevant Terms - pediatric CPR - CPR training - child care center staff - unsupervised contact with a child - first 90 days of employment - hands-on practice - in-person observed skills assessment - approved CPR instructor - American Heart Association - American Red Cross - nationally recognized evidence-based guidelines - two calendar years - obstruction of airway - back blows - abdominal thrusts - subdivision 9 - Minnesota Statutes 142B.65