Legislation Expanding the Accessibility of ‘STOP THE BLEED’ Kits in California Advances in the State Senate

(Sacramento, CA) – Today, Assembly Bill (AB) 70, authored by Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D – Pomona), passed the Senate Committee on Judiciary with unanimous support. This legislation would require certain public and private buildings that undergo renovations or modifications with costs exceeding $100,000 to install and maintain six trauma kits on their premises to treat people needing emergency medical care during a traumatic emergency.

“As a career first responder, I know firsthand how having tools available to aid someone in a traumatic situation will empower a bystander to step up and work to save a life. That is why I am fighting to place trauma kits in as many buildings as possible statewide to ensure Californians are prepared to ‘STOP THE BLEED’ when tragedy strikes,” stated Assemblymember Rodriguez. 

In 2015, President Obama launched the ‘STOP THE BLEED’ campaign, a grassroots effort to encourage bystanders to become trained, equipped, and empowered to take life-saving action while emergency medical services personnel are en route. Today, over 2.6 million people worldwide have received this training.

Last year, California enacted AB 2260 (Rodriguez, Chapter 556, Statutes of 2022) to require newly constructed specified buildings to have at least six trauma kits on their premises while empowering bystanders to render emergency care using a trauma kit. Expanding the accessibility of these trauma kits in more buildings will aid a bystander’s response should they feel empowered to help save a life.

Having tools in trauma kits, such as tourniquets, can help in mass shooting incidents and other types of emergencies, such as workplace violence and natural disasters. In the workplace, the National Safety Council reported 718 homicides and suicides in 2021. Experiences from tragic events such as at Sandy Hook Elementary, have emphasized the value of tourniquets where bystanders could have used tourniquets to save the lives of victims.

“I am proud to continue my efforts to place trauma kits in as many buildings as possible and want to ensure all Californians feel empowered and equipped to serve as immediate responders should they ever be faced with an opportunity to help someone suffering from severe blood loss,” added Assemblymember Rodriguez.

Assemblymember Rodriguez (Twitter) represents the 53rd Assembly District which includes the cities of Chino, Montclair, Ontario, Pomona, and Upland. He is Chair of the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management.