Sen. James Timilty (D-Walpole) welcomed students to the State House Wednesday to help them lobby in favor for legislation which proponents argue could seriously reduce life-threatening emergencies on school campuses. 

Blackstone-Millville Regional High School soccer coach Ryan Gordy joined students Timothy McLaughlin and Tyler and Alex McIsaac to support Senate Bill 218, "An Act relative to medical emergency response plans for schools," Timilty, a co-sponsor of the bill, said Monday in a press release.

If passed, this legislation would require school committees across the Commonwealth to implement written emergency response plans to include methods for rapid communication anywhere on a school campuses, according to the press release. 

Included among the requirements are access for school staff to train in CPR, a number of safety precautions to prevent injuries, and incentives for schools to purchase outside defibrillators for sports events and on playgrounds.

The students cite Sutton student Michael Ellsessar, who died at the age of 16 after collapsing during a junior varsity football game, as inspiring them.

The bill is in the Joint Committee on Education awaiting further action by the committee.