Senate Committee on Education heard a committee substitute to Senate Bill 865, sponsored by Senator Alvarado, that would extend CPR training requirements beyond current law.

Alvarado told the committee the substitute removes a blanket CPR instruction requirement for private and open-enrollment charter schools unless the private school receives an automated external defibrillator (AED) through a TEA grant. The substitute also requires CPR training and maintenance of certification for staff who are often in direct contact with students in a medical emergency (for example, PE teachers and athletic coaches) and for other employees designated by the TEA.

Multiple witnesses supported the bill. Becca Harkleroad, a nationally certified school nurse, testified that survival from cardiac arrest falls roughly 10 percent for each minute CPR/AED use is delayed and stressed the importance of multiple staff members being CPR-certified when a full-time RN is not on campus. Isabella Rufo of the Texas Homeschool Coalition and Laura Colangelo (identified in the transcript as executive director of the Texas Bridal Schools Association) said they worked with the sponsor to clarify language and expressed support while raising implementation concerns about volunteers and how “make available” training would be interpreted.

Outcome and next steps: Public testimony closed; the committee left the substitute pending subject to the call of the chair. The transcript records stakeholders asked for clearer language on volunteer requirements; the sponsor requested follow-up work with affected parties to clarify that provision.

Provenance: Sponsor explanation and multiple witness statements are recorded in the committee transcript.