POOLER, Ga. (WSAV) — Georgia state representative Rick Townsend of Brunswick, has introduced House Bill 118, following the death of one year old Jamal Bryant Jr. who tragically died last may in daycare.

This bill would require CPR training and devices to assist children who are choking in childcare settings.

It has been nearly a year since one year old Jamal Bryant Jr. died from choking on a piece of watermelon at a daycare center in Brunswick. Georgia leaders had their first and second reading this week, which would require daycare centers to have at least one portable airway clearance device.

We spoke to Allison McLean, director at Primrose Schools in Pooler, about their thoughts on the proposed bill.

“I think, unfortunately, choking is a common situation that can happen within childcare facilities, and it can happen very fast,” McLean said.

She said this will be a positive step forward for the childcare industry.

“I like the idea of something being put in place to help hopefully prevent those incidents from happening,” McLean explained. “So, if a child were to be choking, knowing that we have this life back on hand, that we could grab and quickly take to help that choking situation”

Townsend is also proposing that daycare employees complete CPR training within their first 45-days of employment, rather than the first 90 days.

McLean said their team is ahead of the game, with 100 percent of their staff CPR certified.

“We have noticed here at our school that we have found that we like to get our teacher CPR drift training within the first 30 to 60 days,” she said.

We are told it’s a bill that could potentially change the public’s perception of daycare safety.

“I think sometimes what you’re thinking of as a mom or a dad is who can take care of your child best,” McLean said.  “I think knowing that the schools have something already that could help in an instance like that would support those parents feeling more comfortable bringing their children to school.”

If passed, all childcare centers licensed under the Georgia Department of Early Care Learning’ will have to obtain a portable airway device.