House Bill 869 is designed to improve the safety of youth athletes by implementing measures to prevent and respond to cardiac arrest incidents during athletic activities. The bill mandates the Superintendent of Public Instruction to create resources on cardiac arrest symptoms and requires coaches to undergo training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid. Coaches must also hold informational meetings for students and parents at the start of each athletic season. If a youth athlete shows warning signs of cardiac arrest, coaches, trainers, and officials are authorized to remove the athlete from participation until they receive medical clearance from a licensed professional.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that the purchase of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) is an allowable expenditure for school safety and security. It establishes a reimbursement grant program to assist schools in acquiring AEDs, providing $1 for every $1 spent, up to a maximum of $700 per device. The bill includes amendments to existing laws regarding school safety funding and appropriates $240,000 from the general fund to support these initiatives. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and will be codified as part of Title 20, chapter 7, part 13 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA).

Statutes affected:
HB0869_1(1): 20-9-236, 20-9-502
HB0869_1(2): 20-9-236, 20-9-502
HB0869_1(3): 20-9-236, 20-9-502
HB0869_1: 20-9-236, 20-9-502
HB0869_2(1): 20-9-236, 20-9-502
HB0869_2(10): 20-9-236, 20-9-502
HB0869_2(11): 20-9-236, 20-9-502
HB0869_2(2): 20-9-236, 20-9-502
HB0869_2(3): 20-9-236, 20-9-502
HB0869_2(4): 20-9-236, 20-9-502
HB0869_2(5): 20-9-236, 20-9-502
HB0869_2(6): 20-9-236, 20-9-502
HB0869_2(7): 20-9-236, 20-9-502
HB0869_2(8): 20-9-236, 20-9-502
HB0869_2(9): 20-9-236, 20-9-502
HB0869_2: 20-9-236, 20-9-502
HB0869_X(1): 20-9-236, 20-9-502
HB0869_X(10): 20-9-236, 20-9-502
HB0869_X(11): 20-9-236, 20-9-502
HB0869_X(12): 20-9-236, 20-9-502
HB0869_X(13): 20-9-236, 20-9-502
HB0869_X(14): 20-9-236, 20-9-502
HB0869_X(15): 20-9-236, 20-9-502
HB0869_X(16): 20-9-236, 20-9-502
HB0869_X(2): 20-9-236, 20-9-502
HB0869_X(3): 20-9-236, 20-9-502
HB0869_X(4): 20-9-236, 20-9-502
HB0869_X(5): 20-9-236, 20-9-502
HB0869_X(6): 20-9-236, 20-9-502
HB0869_X(7): 20-9-236, 20-9-502
HB0869_X(8): 20-9-236, 20-9-502
HB0869_X(9): 20-9-236, 20-9-502
HB0869_X: 20-9-236, 20-9-502