Enacting the so-called “Hannah’s Law”

Four-year-old Hannah Kozitza died last June in the care of a child care center while choking on a grape. There was not one trained provider in her care room that knew CPR when the tragedy happened.

A bill to change those requirements was approved by the House Health and Human Services Reform Committee and sent to the House floor.

Sponsored by Rep. Mary Liz Holberg (R-Lakeville), HF235 would require all care center teachers and assistant teachers to complete CPR training for infants and children, and at least one staff person with training must be present during field trips and when transporting children. The training would have to occur within 90 days after the start of employment, under the bill.

Current law only requires one person in a care center to be trained, and they don’t have to be present in the room.

Ron Edlund, Hannah’s grandfather, said the family wonders if the outcome would have been different if there had been at least one person in the room that was trained in CPR when Hannah died. “If this bill saves one child, Hannah will have a legacy, and it will be worth it,” he said.

Jerry Kerber, director of the Department of Human Services’ Licensing Division, said licensed home daycare providers are already required to have CPR training. However, he said, centers account for about half of the care for children in the state.

Rep. Bob Barrett (R-Shafer) asked if there were going to be any changes to how food portions are cut up for small children.

Kerber said the bill doesn’t address that issue, and there are fewer recommendations for how food is to be consumed as children age.

A companion, SF381, sponsored by Sen. Dan Hall (R-Burnsville), awaits action by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.