HB290 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ed OliverRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Public and nonpublic schools, sudden cardiac arrest, required to develop and implement cardiac emergency response plan

Summary

HB290 requires Alabama public and nonpublic schools to develop and implement a cardiac emergency response plan, including AED placement and staff CPR/first aid training, starting in the 2025-2026 school year, with state rules to monitor compliance.

What This Bill Does

Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, local boards of education and governing bodies of nonpublic schools must create a cardiac emergency response plan to handle sudden cardiac arrest and similar life-threatening events on school property, including during athletic activities. Plans must follow recognized guidelines (like the American Heart Association), establish a cardiac emergency response team, provide ongoing CPR and AED training for appropriate staff, outline AED placement and maintenance, and include drills and a process for annual review. The State Board of Education may adopt rules to monitor how well schools follow the law.

Who It Affects

• Students in public and nonpublic schools will be covered by the cardiac emergency response plans and benefit from AED access and trained staff.
• School staff (such as licensed coaches, school nurses, athletic trainers, and other trained personnel) will be required to receive CPR, first aid, and AED training.

Key Provisions

• Public and nonpublic schools must develop and implement a cardiac emergency response plan beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.
• Plans must address the appropriate use of personnel to respond to sudden cardiac arrest and other life-threatening emergencies on school property, including during athletic activities when applicable.
• Plans must follow guidelines from the American Heart Association or a similar nationally recognized, evidence-based source.
• A cardiac emergency response team must be established, and ongoing staff training in CPR and AED use must be provided.
• Procedures must include activation of the emergency response team, AED placement and maintenance, dissemination of the plan, drills, and annual review/evaluation.
• Appropriate school staff (e.g., licensed coaches, school nurses, athletic trainers) must be trained in first aid, CPR, and AED use according to guidelines.
• Local boards of education and nonpublic school governing bodies must work with local emergency services to integrate the plan with community EMS responder protocols.
• The State Board of Education may adopt rules to monitor adherence to the act.
• The act becomes effective October 1, 2024.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education