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Bill > HB1943


PA HB1943

PA HB1943
In school health services, further providing for automatic external defibrillators, providing for automated external defibrillators and training, further providing for sudden cardiac arrest and electrocardiogram testing and providing for electrocardiogram testing for interscholastic athletics; and, in terms and courses of study, further providing for cardiopulmonary resuscitation education.


summary

Introduced
10/16/2025
In Committee
10/16/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An act relating to the public school system, including certain provisions applicable as well to private and parochial schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the laws relating thereto," in school health services, further providing for automatic external defibrillators, providing for automated external defibrillators and training, further providing for sudden cardiac arrest and electrocardiogram testing and providing for electrocardiogram testing for interscholastic athletics; and, in terms and courses of study, further providing for cardiopulmonary resuscitation education.

AI Summary

This bill updates Pennsylvania's school health and safety regulations, focusing on three main areas: automated external defibrillators (AEDs), sudden cardiac arrest prevention, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) education. For AEDs, the bill requires schools to place defibrillators in easily accessible locations, ensure at least four trained staff members are available during school hours, and mandate annual training for key personnel including nurses, administrators, coaches, and security staff. Regarding sudden cardiac arrest, the bill introduces mandatory electrocardiogram (ECG) testing for students participating in interscholastic athletics, starting with a comprehensive rollout in the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 school years, with provisions for religious exemptions. The bill also enhances CPR education requirements, mandating that beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, ninth and eleventh-grade students receive one hour of CPR instruction using current emergency cardiovascular care guidelines, and starting in the 2027-2028 school year, students must complete this training to graduate high school. Throughout the bill, the language is updated from "automatic" to "automated" external defibrillators, and additional details are provided about training, reporting, and implementation of these health and safety measures.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (11)

Last Action

Referred to Education (on 10/16/2025)

bill text


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