Bill > HB1398

This bill requires schools in Arkansas to develop and implement a comprehensive cardiac emergency response plan starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The plan must include nationally recognized core elements for responding to sudden cardiac arrest, such as establishing a cardiac emergency response team, placing and maintaining automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in accessible, unlocked locations with appropriate signage, and ensuring they can be used within three minutes of a cardiac emergency. Schools must train appropriate staff in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and AED use according to guidelines from nationally recognized emergency cardiovascular care organizations. The plan also requires annual practice drills for sudden cardiac arrest, integration with local emergency medical services, and coordination with the community's emergency response protocols. The bill defines key terms like sudden cardiac arrest (an unexpected medical condition where the heart stops beating) and provides specific guidelines for AED placement and use. The Department of Education may monitor schools' adherence to these requirements, and schools must incorporate these provisions into their emergency operations plans no later than the 2026-2027 school year.

Education

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=hb1398&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R