Bill > A2293

This bill, known as "Janet's Law," mandates that by September 1, 2014, all public and nonpublic schools serving kindergarten through 12th grade must have an automated external defibrillator (AED), a portable device that can analyze a person's heart rhythm and deliver an electrical shock if needed, readily accessible in an unlocked location during school hours and any school-sponsored athletic activities. The law also requires that a designated staff member, such as a coach or athletic trainer, present at these events be trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an AED, though compliance is met if a certified emergency responder is on-site. Schools must also ensure AEDs are regularly maintained and that local emergency medical services are informed of their presence and location. Furthermore, schools must develop and implement an emergency action plan for sudden cardiac events, which includes a list of at least five staff members trained in CPR and AED use, updated each semester, and detailed procedures for responding to such emergencies, including who is responsible for calling 911, administering CPR, retrieving and using the AED, and assisting emergency personnel. This legislation also grants schools and their employees immunity from civil liability for acquiring and using AEDs, and the State Board of Education will establish necessary regulations to implement these provisions.