This bill establishes a competitive grant program within the Iowa Department of Education aimed at developing and implementing school health-related emergency response plans, specifically focusing on cardiac emergencies. It amends existing law to require schools to comply with the requirements of section 280.16B, which includes the development of a cardiac emergency response plan that outlines specific steps for responding to cardiac arrest incidents. The bill defines key terms such as "athletic emergency action plan," "automated external defibrillator," and "cardiac emergency response plan," and specifies the necessary components of these plans, including the establishment of a cardiac emergency response team, placement of automated external defibrillators, and ongoing training for staff.

The bill also establishes a fund for the competitive grant program, which will provide financial assistance to schools for the costs associated with developing and implementing their cardiac emergency response plans. The funds awarded must supplement existing public funding and cannot replace it. The state board of education is tasked with adopting rules to administer the program, including grant application materials and eligibility criteria. This legislation will take effect for school years beginning on or after July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 256E.7, 280.16B