Gov. Patrick signs medical emergency law

BOSTON (AP) -- Gov. Deval Patrick has signed a bill requiring Massachusetts school districts to establish well-organized and written medical response plans for life-threatening emergencies.

The legislation comes after the 2010 death of 16-year-old Sutton High School student Michael Ellsessar, who suffered a fatal cardiac arrest while playing for an Oxford-Sutton cooperative junior varsity team. Patrick signed the bill Thursday.

Under the new law school districts must develop a method to effectively direct emergency medical services and provide access to CPR. They must also create safety precautions to prevent injuries and establish the location of both defibrillators and trained individuals.

Districts are required to submit their plans to the state's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education every three years.