Schatz, Moran Introduce Legislation to Improve Child Safety on Airplanes

Statement

U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai"i) and U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) introduced the Airplane Kids In Transition Safety (KITS) Act of 2016, legislation which would urge the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to update its regulations regarding the medications and equipment required to be carried in airplane medical kits in order to better serve children in-flight.

"Every year, airplane medical kits help save lives, but today these kits aren't adequately equipped to help treat kids during an emergency," said Senator Schatz. "Our bill requires the FAA to update its rules to ensure that every airline has the basic medical equipment to help kids when they need it the most."

"It is past time for the FAA to update its standards for medications and equipment on commercial aircraft to properly treat children when medical emergencies arise," Senator Moran said. "This commonsense legislation would be an important step in making sure these tools for children -- who make up 25 percent of the population and are most vulnerable in an emergency -- are available."

"During medical emergencies, every second counts. Access to safe and effective medications and medical equipment during an in-flight emergency can mean the difference between life and death, and children are especially vulnerable due to their growing minds and bodies. Unfortunately, emergency medical kits currently required to be onboard commercial airplanes are not required to have pediatric equipment. The Airplane KITS Act is a critical step forward to keeping children safe during air travel by ensuring the appropriate equipment and medications are available on airplanes. The American Academy of Pediatrics applauds Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai"i) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) for their leadership in introducing this important legislation," said American Academy of Pediatrics Executive Director Karen Remley, MD, MBA, MPH, FAAP.

The current contents of emergency medical kits (EMKs) onboard commercial airplanes are outdated and do not contain appropriate medications and devices for treating children. Children make up 25 percent of the nation's population and are more vulnerable than adults in the case of an emergency. Medical emergencies involving children can be fatal and emergency planning should take into account the different medications and medical devices that children need.

A companion bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives by U.S. Representative Sean Patrick Maloney (D-N.Y.) and is cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Richard Hanna (R-N.Y.) and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.).

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