Senate Bill No. 1350 mandates the establishment of a grant program by the State Department of Education (SDE) to assist local and regional boards of education in implementing cardiac emergency response plans. This program, effective July 1, 2025, will provide financial support for the purchase and maintenance of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and training for their use. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to schools classified as priority schools, which serve a significant number of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunches. By January 1, 2026, the SDE is required to post detailed information about the grant program, including the grant amounts and application forms, on its website.

The bill also reinforces existing requirements for schools to develop emergency action plans for responding to cardiac emergencies on school grounds and during athletic events. It stipulates that each school must have an AED and trained personnel available during operating hours and school-sponsored events. However, school boards are exempt from these requirements if they lack federal, state, or private funding. The bill does not allocate specific funding for the grant program, and its fiscal impact will depend on the resources available for implementation.