SB59 Alabama 2024 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Arthur OrrSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2024
Title: Public k-12 education; hands on instruction in CPR and the use of AEDs, required in health classes; State Board of Education, authorized to adopt rules
Summary: SB59 requires public high schools to teach CPR and AED use in health class, with hands-on practice and rules for implementation by the State Board of Education.
What This Bill Does
It requires tenth-grade students in public schools to receive CPR and AED instruction as part of health education, including hands-on skills starting in the 2024-2025 school year. The State Board of Education would adopt rules to implement the training, and CPR instructors must be certified by the American Heart Association or American Red Cross. Students are not required to be certified themselves.

Who It Affects
Tenth-grade students in Alabama public schools who will receive CPR and AED instruction in health class.
Public school teachers and other instructors who deliver the instruction, and the local school districts that must ensure trained personnel and program implementation.

Key Provisions
Requires CPR and AED instruction within health education for tenth-grade students in public schools.
Instruction must include psychomotor (hands-on) skills for CPR and AED use, starting in the 2024-2025 school year.
The State Board of Education may adopt rules to implement the training.
Standards and instructor qualifications follow American Heart Association or American Red Cross guidelines; instructors must be certified by one of these organizations.
Training for instructors and ongoing refresher updates will be provided to keep skills current.
Students are not required to obtain CPR or AED certification.
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