The bill, known as the Senator Tim Melson Act, amends Section 16-40-8 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to mandate that all public high school students receive instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) as part of their health education courses. The new legal language specifies that local boards of education operating public schools with grades nine through twelve must include these topics in their existing health education curriculum. The instruction on CPR will be required immediately, while the AED training will begin in the 2024-2025 school year. Additionally, the State Board of Education is authorized to adopt rules to implement these requirements.

The bill also includes several deletions and insertions to clarify the responsibilities of the State Board of Education and the standards for instruction. It removes outdated references to the Department of Education and previous training timelines, replacing them with updated provisions for ongoing training and certification of instructors. The bill emphasizes that while students will learn the necessary skills, they will not be required to become certified in CPR or AED use. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 16-40-8
Engrossed: 16-40-8
Enrolled: 16-40-8