Bill > SB0244

This bill requires all schools within a Local Education Agency (LEA), which is a governing body responsible for public education in a specific area, to develop and implement a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP) by the 2026-2027 school year. A CERP is a plan detailing how school personnel will respond to sudden cardiac arrest or similar life-threatening emergencies on school grounds, and it must incorporate "evidence-based core elements," meaning practices recommended by organizations like the American Heart Association or other nationally recognized standards for emergency cardiovascular care. The plan must ensure that an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), a portable device that can restart a heart, is appropriately placed, clearly marked, accessible within three minutes, and maintained in an unlocked location. Furthermore, designated school staff, such as educators, nurses, or athletic trainers, must be trained in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and AED use. LEAs are responsible for ensuring AEDs are regularly tested and maintained according to manufacturer guidelines and must notify emergency medical services about the AED's presence and location. The bill also establishes a grant program, subject to legislative funding, to help LEAs implement CERPs, with priority given to "high-needs schools," which are defined as Title I schools or those where over 50% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. LEAs can also accept donations for AEDs and related training. The State Board of Education is authorized to create rules for grant distribution and compliance monitoring, and the bill includes an appropriation of $200,000 for fiscal year 2027 to support these initiatives, with the entire bill taking effect on July 1, 2026.