The Senate Education Committee unanimously recommended passage of substitute House Bill 54 after adopting an amendment that phases installation and planning for automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and cardiac emergency response plans across school types.

Monej Sita of the American Heart Association described the amendment and the bill’s intent: “The intent of this bill is to have AEDs and cardiac emergency response plans in all high schools in the first year… and the following year would be all schools, including the charter schools.” The amendment delays implementation in elementary schools to allow time for procurement and training.

Representative Herndon, presenting the bill, said the measure would add a statutory definition of AED and would require schools to install an AED on campus as part of the Emergency Medication in Schools Act. Committee members asked about the number of incidents and cost. Witnesses said AEDs range in price and described a funding path: an existing appropriation bill (Senate Bill 494) included funding to start procurement and training.

Committee discussion highlighted local flexibility for cardiac emergency response plans and training. A committee member cited recent cases in which trained staff used AEDs successfully. One witness referenced numbers saying “34 students… have been, needing an AED,” underscoring the testimony that AED access has saved lives.

The committee adopted the amendment by voice and recorded a unanimous do-pass recommendation (7–0, two excused).