Bill > HB4685

This bill modifies existing Texas law to enhance fire safety inspections at public and private schools by requiring fire protection personnel training to include specific procedures for school fire safety inspections. The bill mandates that during these inspections, personnel must now comprehensively examine each automated external defibrillator (AED) on campus to ensure it is fully functional, which involves checking that the device's pads and battery have not expired and that its status indicator light shows it is ready for use. Inspectors must provide a written report of their findings to the school's principal, superintendent (for public schools), or director (for private schools), and must specify the method, time, and date of report delivery. Additionally, these reports must be filed at the specific school campus and organized by the year of inspection. The new requirements aim to improve school safety by ensuring not just fire readiness, but also emergency medical preparedness through thorough AED inspections. The bill will take effect on September 1, 2025, giving schools and inspection personnel time to prepare for the new guidelines.