This bill mandates that schools in Arkansas develop and implement a comprehensive cardiac emergency response plan as part of their emergency operation plans, starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The plan must include nationally recognized core elements, such as the establishment of a cardiac emergency response team, the activation of this team in response to sudden cardiac arrest, and the placement and maintenance of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) on school grounds. Additionally, the bill outlines requirements for staff training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and AED use, the incorporation of annual practice drills, and collaboration with local emergency medical services.

The bill also amends the definition of "athletic activity" to clarify its scope and introduces new definitions for terms such as "automated external defibrillator," "cardiopulmonary resuscitation," "cardiac emergency response plan," and "sudden cardiac arrest." Schools are required to disseminate the cardiac emergency response plan throughout the campus and review it regularly. The Department of Education is tasked with monitoring compliance with these requirements, ensuring that schools incorporate these changes into their emergency operations plans by the 2026-2027 school year.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1398 V2 - 3-10-2025 11:46 AM: 6-18-713(a), 6-18-713
Old version HB1398 Original - 2-4-2025 01:51 PM: 6-18-713(a), 6-18-713
HB 1398: 6-18-713(a), 6-18-713
Act 352: 6-18-713(a), 6-18-713