Creating Stop the Bleed Act

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Vince Deeds and 3 co-sponsors

The bill aims to Save lives by training and equipping schools, workplaces, and public facilities to control severe bleeding through standardized Stop the Bleed programs and kits.

To Education

#education(k12)

Bill Summary — SB 619 (West Virginia, 2026)

Purpose and intent

SB 619 is titled the Stop the Bleed Act. The bill is designed to improve emergency response to severe bleeding injuries by authorizing and guiding the training, deployment, and use of bleeding control measures.

Key provisions and changes

Training and education

Authorizes or requires dissemination of Stop the Bleed training content to appropriate audiences (e.g., schools, workplaces, public facilities) to enable laypersons to control bleeding in emergencies.
May specify standards or curriculum for bleeding control techniques (e.g., application of tourniquets, wound packing, direct pressure).

Equipment and accessibility

Provisions to encourage or require the provision and maintenance of bleeding control kits (which typically include tourniquets, gauze, and gauze dressings) in designated facilities such as schools, government buildings, and public venues.
May establish location, maintenance, and restocking requirements for these kits.

Roles and authority

Defines who is allowed or expected to use bleeding control techniques in an emergency (e.g., trained school staff, public employees, first responders).
May provide legal protection (good Samaritan-style liability protections) for individuals who render bleeding control assistance in good faith during an emergency.

Coordination and oversight

Creates or designates a coordinating body or program (potentially within a state health department or public safety agency) to oversee implementation, training dissemination, and equipment standards.
May call for periodic reporting or audits to ensure compliance with training and kit maintenance.

Who would be affected

Educational institutions (public and potentially private) may need to implement Stop the Bleed training and ensure access to bleeding control kits.

Public facilities and workplaces could be required or encouraged to stock bleeding control kits and train staff.

Instructors and organizations delivering Stop the Bleed training may experience increased demand and clarified standards.

General public and employees could gain increased access to immediate bleeding control resources and legal protections when assisting in emergencies.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction and referrals:

Introduced in the Senate on January 27, 2026.
Referred to Health and Human Resources, then Education.

Committee action:

Reported do pass, but first to Education (February 24, 2026), indicating a split referral with a positive committee stance.
Initial movement suggests potential amendments or clarifications during the Education committee process.

Potential impact and considerations

Public safety: Aims to reduce fatalities and complication from uncontrolled bleeding by enabling rapid, trained responses.

Training standardization: Establishes a consistent approach to bleeding control across relevant institutions.

Legal and liability framework: Likely includes protections for responders and bystanders acting in good faith, reducing hesitation to assist.

Resource implications: Requires investment in kits, storage, replenishment, and ongoing training programs; facilities may face upfront costs.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to a specific audience (e.g., school administrators, policymakers, or general public) or add a brief comparison to existing West Virginia emergency preparedness statutes.