Bill > A5619

Introduced Session

This bill establishes an automated external defibrillator (AED) grant program in the Department of Education (department). Under the program, the department will award grants to public and private elementary and secondary schools and public and private institutions of higher education to expand access to AEDs and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Specifically, grants may be awarded to: 1) develop and provide comprehensive materials to establish and support AED and CPR programs and cardiac emergency action plans; 2) purchase AEDs and AED batteries, perform AED maintenance, and replace old and outdated AEDs and CPR equipment, machinery, and educational materials; 3) foster new and existing community partnerships to promote access to defibrillation and CPR in schools and institutions of higher education; 4) aid athletic departments to screen student athletes for risk of sudden cardiac arrest; and 5) develop strategies to improve access to AEDs and CPR in schools and institutions of higher education. A school or institution of higher education may apply for a grant by submitting an application to the department detailing how the grant would be used, along with a plan of execution. The department will be required to establish a database to collect and make available information concerning access to AEDs and CPR in schools and institutions of higher education, including the costs of ensuring access to and training in AEDs and CPR. The department may establish mandatory reporting requirements related to the database. Any information in the database that is made available to the public will be presented in the aggregate, and will not include any personal identifying information. The department will be permitted to share database information with State and federal health authorities and research institutions as appropriate to facilitate research and public health measures related to pediatric sudden cardiac arrest. No later than four years after receiving a grant under the program, grant awardees will be required to report to the department details concerning the use of grant funds and any effects the grant had on access to defibrillation and CPR at the school or institution of higher education, along with recommendations to improve access to defibrillation and CPR among student populations. No later than five years after the effective date of the bill, and annually thereafter, the department will be required report to the Governor and the Legislature concerning its findings and recommendations with regard to the grant program, including the use of grant funds awarded under the program, an evaluation of the initiatives taken using grant funds, and recommendations as to whether the grant program should be continued or expanded. The bill appropriates $100,000 from the General Fund to the department for the purpose of funding the grant program.

Committee Categories

Reginald Atkins (D)*,  Angela Mcknight (D)*,  Shanique Speight (D)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee (on 06/20/2023)

Official Document