Senate Bill 317 mandates that, starting in the 2026-27 school year, all school boards and charter school operators in Wisconsin must implement a cardiac emergency response plan (CERP) for cardiac emergencies occurring on school property and during school-sponsored athletic events. The bill defines a CERP as a written document outlining specific steps to mitigate death from cardiac arrest, including the establishment of a cardiac emergency response team, activation procedures, distribution of the plan, integration with local emergency medical services, and annual drills and evaluations. For emergencies on school property, the CERP must also include requirements for automated external defibrillator (AED) placement and maintenance, as well as training for designated school personnel in first aid, CPR, and AED usage.

For athletic events, the CERP is required only for schools that operate high school grades and must address the roles of coaches and athletic trainers in responding to cardiac emergencies. It mandates that AEDs be clearly marked and accessible at athletic venues and that coaches maintain CPR and AED certification. The bill also allows the Office of School Safety in the Department of Justice to award grants to assist schools in implementing these plans, with grant amounts determined by the grade levels served. Notably, compliance with AED placement requirements is contingent upon receiving these grants.