The bill amends the Education Code to enhance the availability of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and establish a cardiac emergency response plan in public and certain private schools in Texas. It requires each school district to ensure that an adequate number of AEDs are accessible on campus, specifically stating that they must be reachable within three minutes of a cardiac emergency. The bill also mandates that these defibrillators be available during athletic competitions and that their placement is guided by recommendations from the American Heart Association or similar organizations.

Additionally, the bill requires school districts and private schools to develop and implement a comprehensive cardiac emergency response plan, which includes collaboration with local emergency services, ongoing training for staff, and annual practice drills. The plan must also be disseminated throughout the campus and reviewed annually. Private schools are only required to create such a plan if they receive an AED from the state or funding for one. Furthermore, the bill establishes a grant program to assist schools in implementing these plans, prioritizing those with a high percentage of educationally disadvantaged students. Schools must comply with these requirements by the start of the 2027-2028 school year.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 38.017, Education Code 38.018 (Education Code 38)