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. While schools must ensure the availability of AEDs and trained personnel, they are currently exempt from these requirements if funding is not available. The new grant program aims to alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with these requirements, although the bill does not allocate specific funding for the program.