Members of each public school and charter school's administration shall coordinate with local emergency services providers to integrate the school's cardiac emergency response plan into the local emergency services providers' protocols. A cardiac emergency response plan shall integrate evidence-based core elements, such as those recommended by the American Heart Association guidelines, Project ADAM (Automated Defibrillators in Adam's Memory), or another set of nationally recognized, evidence-based standards or core elements.

The act outlines certain guidelines that a cardiac emergency response plan shall integrate, including the establishment of a cardiac emergency response team and the placement of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) throughout the school campus. Appropriate AED placement shall be dictated by the cardiac emergency response plan and in accordance with guidelines set by the American Heart Association or nationally recognized guidelines focused on emergency cardiovascular care.

For schools with an athletic department or organized school athletic program, an AED shall be clearly marked and easily accessible in an unlocked location at each athletic venue and event. The AED shall be accessible during the school day and any school-sponsored athletic event or team practice. It is recommended, to the extent possible, that the governing body of a public school or charter school shall make the best effort possible to ensure that the AED placement described in the act is accessible within three minutes of cardiac arrest.

Appropriate school personnel shall be certified in first

aid, CPR, and AED use, as provided in the act. The school personnel required to be trained shall be determined by the cardiac emergency response plan and shall include, but shall not be limited to, athletic coaches, school nurses, and athletic trainers.

This act shall not be construed to create a cause of action against any school district, charter school, or any personnel of a school district or charter school.

This act is similar to SCS/SBs 1032 & 1081 (2024) and provisions in HCS/SS/SCS/SB 68 (2025), HCS/HB 232 (2025), HB 416 (2025) and HB 1991 (2024).

OLIVIA SHANNON