§ 3001-b. First aid instruction mandatory for coaches of extra-class
public school athletic activities. 1. On and after the effective date of
this section, in addition to any provision of law or rule or regulation
of the department related to the requirements necessary for teachers
within the public school systems, whether certified in physical
education or not, to coach any extra-class athletic activity, it shall
be required of such teachers, except as provided in subdivision two or
three of this section, to hold a valid certificate of completion of a
course of study in first aid knowledge and skills offered by a
nationally recognized organization, as defined in paragraph (d) of
subdivision one of section three thousand-b of the public health law and
approved by the commissioner, or to meet equivalent requirements as
certified by the commissioner. Any such course of study or equivalent
requirements must include instruction in recognizing signs and symptoms
of cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac arrest and the administration of
adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Prior to the start of each sports
season, coaches must provide valid evidence to their chief school
officer that their first aid and adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation
knowledge and skills are current pursuant to the requirements
established by a nationally recognized organization, as defined in
paragraph (d) of subdivision one of section three thousand-b of the
public health law and approved by the commissioner, or that they meet
equivalent requirements as certified by the commissioner.

2. Except as provided in subdivision three of this section, persons
who have been employed as coaches of extra-class athletic activities in
a public school system on the effective date of this section who do not
hold a valid certificate of completion of a course of study in first aid
knowledge and skills pursuant to subdivision one of this section may
continue to coach such sports, provided, however, that such coaches do
receive such certification required in subdivision one of this section
as soon as practicable after the effective date of this section but not
later than twelve months thereafter, provided, however, that the
commissioner shall have the authority to establish by rule or regulation
an additional time schedule for compliance with this section.

3. A teacher or person who is unable to hold a valid certificate of
completion of a course of study in first aid knowledge and skills
pursuant to subdivision one of this section due to a physical disability
may coach any extra-class athletic activity if there is another teacher
or person employed by the public school system who holds a valid
certificate of completion pursuant to subdivision one of this section
and is present with such teacher or person who is unable to hold such
certificate of completion at all times during the extra-class athletic
activities including but not limited to practices, scrimmages and during
competition.