Andrade’s Stop the Bleed bill moves through committee

Today, State Representative Mike Andrade (D-Munster)’s “Stop the Bleed” program proposed in House Bill 1396 was approved 11-0 by the House Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee. HB 1396 will provide bleeding control kits to all law enforcement officers – a tool not currently funded by the state.

“Being a law enforcement officer is dangerous enough without having the tools you need to rapidly take care of life-threatening injuries before help arrives,” Andrade said. “By passing House Bill 1396, we can aid our officers by providing tourniquets to help attend to injuries while serving. Every day, our officers deserve to know they are equipped with the tools they need to help save a life, whether it’s their life or someone else’s.

“Injuries resulting in great loss of blood are the most common cause of death from trauma. The window to act is incredibly narrow once the bleeding begins – 33%-56% of deaths happen before an individual arrives in a hospital. Just last month in Lawrence, IN, an officer shot in the leg used a tourniquet to sustain their life long enough to be transported to a trauma center. Immediate action is necessary to save a life. There must be access to proper equipment at all times to help treat life-threatening bleeding.”

“We're very pleased with the bill's passage,” Munster Police Chief Steve Scheckel said. “I think it's going to give law enforcement the tools they need to save their lives as well as those of citizens on the scene.”

 HB 1396 now moves to the House floor.

“I carry my optimism that we can come together in a bipartisan manner to best serve our law enforcement officers and the public,” Andrade said.