S.B. No. 865, also known as the Landon Payton Act, mandates that certain school employees and volunteers receive training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). The bill amends the Education Code to require that school nurses, athletic coaches, physical education instructors, and other specified personnel, as well as students serving as athletic trainers, obtain and maintain certification in CPR and AED use from recognized organizations such as the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross. Additionally, private schools that receive AEDs or funding for them must adopt policies to provide instruction in CPR and AED use to their employees and volunteer nurses.

Furthermore, the bill requires each school district and private school to develop and implement a cardiac emergency response plan that outlines safety procedures for responding to cardiac emergencies on school grounds. This plan must include collaboration with local emergency services, ongoing training for staff, and annual practice drills. The legislation will take effect in the 2025-2026 school year, with full implementation required by the first instructional day of the 2027-2028 school year.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 22.902 (Education Code 22)
Senate Committee Report: Education Code 22.902 (Education Code 22)
Engrossed: Education Code 22.902, Education Code 38.018 (Education Code 22, Education Code 38)
House Committee Report: Education Code 22.902, Education Code 38.018 (Education Code 22, Education Code 38)
Enrolled: Education Code 22.902, Education Code 38.018 (Education Code 22, Education Code 38)