The bill amends the Emergency Medication in Schools Act to require all schools in New Mexico to develop and implement a cardiac emergency response plan and to install an automated external defibrillator (AED) on their premises. The new section mandates that each school create a plan that includes identifying personnel to respond to cardiac emergencies, establishing protocols for their actions, determining the location for the AED, and ensuring routine maintenance of the device. Additionally, the bill stipulates that the Department of Health will adopt rules for training school employees on the use of AEDs by January 1, 2026.

The bill sets specific deadlines for compliance, requiring public non-charter high schools to meet these requirements by the 2026-2027 school year, while elementary schools, middle schools, charter schools, and private schools must comply by the 2027-2028 school year. This legislation aims to enhance the safety of students and staff by ensuring that schools are prepared to respond effectively to cardiac emergencies.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 22-33-2
EC substitute: 22-33-1, 22-33-2
Final Version: 22-33-1, 22-33-2