Summary.
The bill adds definitions of first aid, basic first-aid training and educational institution to Law 380 of 2023. It describes the training as a theoretical and practical program for educational staff, aligned with standards set by the Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud). An educational institution includes any public or private institution providing preschool, general basic, academic or technical secondary, or special education in the Republic of Panama (República de Panamá).
Training would be delivered by personnel accredited by the Ministry of Health or by public or private entities expressly recognized by it, such as the Panamanian Red Cross (Cruz Roja Panameña). Certification would remain valid for no more than three (3) years. The program would include modules on assisting students with disabilities or special medical conditions, in keeping with Law 42 of 1999. Public and private educational institutions would be required to train and certify their teaching, administrative and management staff in basic first aid. The minimum content would be equivalent to that of a basic first-aid course.
The bill assigns the Ministry of Health responsibility for technical guidelines, methods and standards for training. The Ministry of Education (Ministerio de Educación) would coordinate with MINSA, SINAPROC, the Panamanian Red Cross and other public or private entities authorized and recognized by MINSA. It also amends Article 5 of Law 57 of 2016 to require each educational institution to ensure that at least 80% of its teaching, administrative and management staff receive certified first-aid training every year.
The listed administrative violations are failure to provide training and certification, reach the minimum staff coverage, maintain current records, have the minimum basic equipment, or comply with interinstitutional agreements. Penalties would be imposed under the regulations and would include warnings, fines or corrective measures. Trained personnel acting in good faith during an emergency would be exempt from criminal, civil and administrative liability unless intentional misconduct or gross negligence is proven, in accordance with Law 57 of 2016.
The relevant government entities would include the necessary allocations in the General State Budget for the applicable fiscal year. The text provides that the Legislative Branch (Órgano Legislativo) would issue regulations through the Ministry of Education (Ministerio Educación), in coordination with the Ministry of Health. Educational institutions would have twelve months from commencement to adapt and comply; the law would commence six (6) months after promulgation. Article 11 lists additions to Law 380 of 2023 and amendments and additions to Law 57 of December 30, 2016. The bill's provisions concern these public bodies, educational institutions, their staff and students.
What it proposes.
- First-aid training and certification in educational institutions.
- Institutional coordination and training content.
- Annual staff coverage, administrative violations, penalties and protection for trained personnel.
Who it would affect.
- Public and private educational institutions.
- Teaching, administrative and management staff.
- Entities responsible for delivering or coordinating training.
Key points.
- Defines first aid, basic first-aid training and the educational institutions covered.Art. 1
- Requires training by accredited personnel or recognized entities, certification valid for up to three (3) years, and modules on assisting students with disabilities or special medical conditions.Art. 2
- Requires public and private educational institutions to train and certify their teaching, administrative and management staff in basic first aid.Art. 3
- Assigns responsibility for technical standards and institutional coordination of the training.Art. 4
- Requires annual certified training for at least 80% of each educational institution's teaching, administrative and management staff.Art. 5
- Establishes administrative violations and provides for warnings, fines or corrective measures under the regulations.Art. 6
- Exempts trained personnel acting in good faith during emergencies from criminal, civil and administrative liability unless intentional misconduct or gross negligence is proven.Art. 7
- Provides for budget allocations, regulations, twelve months for institutions to adapt, and commencement six (6) months after promulgation.Arts. 8-12