House Bill54  (HB54) relates to public schools by requiring every high school to install an automated external defibrillator and requiring all high school employees to be trained in the us of automated external defibrillators. 

 House Bill54  (HB54) requires every high school to install an automated external defibrillator and then train all employees on how to use it. 
No later than January 1, 2026, every high school in the state shall install an automated external defibrillator. Installed automated external defibrillators shall be maintained and tested according to the manufacturer's operational guidelines.  
No later than January 1, 2026, the Department shall adopt and promulgate rules for the training of high school employees on the use of automated external defibrillators.  Each governing body, school district and superintendent shall ensure that an automated external defibrillator training is provided annually to all high school employees.  The training course shall be consistent with standards adopted by the American Heart Association.
HB54 defines the defibrillator as "automated external defibrillator"  which means a medical device heart monitor and defibrillator that: (1)  has received approval of its premarket modification filed pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 360(k), from the United States Food and Drug Administration; (2)  is capable of recognizing cardiac arrest that will respond to defibrillation, ventricular fibrillation or rapid ventricular tachycardia and is capable of determining whether defibrillation should be performed; and (3)  upon determining that defibrillation should be performed, automatically charges and is capable of delivering an electrical impulse to an individual's heart.

 

 Amended March 12,2025 in Senate Education Committee 

SECcsa/HB54: The Senate Education Committee amendment to HB54cs strikes the reference to” high” schools and strikes “evidence based guidelines” and inserts “core elements that are nationally recognized and evidence based”.
On page 5 lines 1 and 2 are struck and now insert the term “ Every”. Another reference to “high” is also struck and references to Subsection A is replace with “Subsection A and B.”
On page 5, line 12, strike "apply" and insert in lieu thereof "be fulfilled by all". 
On page 5, line 13, strike "to all". 
On page 5, line 14, strike "beginning in the 2025-2026" and insert in lieu thereof "no later than the 2026-2027". 
On page 5, line 15, strike "all" and , on page 5, line 16, strike "beginning in the 2026-2027" and insert in lieu thereof "no later than the 2027-2028".
HB54cs/a is now referred to the Senate Finance Committee

 
 

 Committee Substitute February 27,2025 in HEC
HECcs/HB54: adds a new Section 3 regarding the development of a response plan to be included in the Emergency Medication in Schools Act. 
Section 3, Paragraph A and B states:
“A. Each school shall develop and implement a cardiac emergency response plan that addresses the appropriate use of school personnel who are to respond to incidents involving a person experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest or a similar life-threatening emergency while on school grounds. 
Each cardiac emergency response plan shall: (1)  be developed and implemented using evidence-based guidelines; (2)  identify specific school personnel who will take action when a person experiences a sudden cardiac arrest or a similar life-threatening emergency; (3)  establish protocols for school personnel identified by the cardiac emergency response plan to follow when a person experiences a sudden cardiac arrest or a similar life-threatening emergency; (4)  determine an appropriate location for an automated external defibrillator to be installed; (5)  provide for routine maintenance of the automated external defibrillator; and (6)  be updated when necessary to be consistent with evidence-based guidelines.
B.  No later than the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year, every high school in the state shall install an automated external defibrillator.  Installed automated external defibrillators shall be maintained and tested according to the manufacturer's operational guidelines. 
C.  No later than January 1, 2026, the department shall adopt and promulgate rules for the training of high school employees on the use of automated external defibrillators in a manner consistent with standards adopted by the American heart association. 
D.  The requirements of Subsection A of this section shall apply: (1)  to all public non-charter high schools beginning in the 2025-2026 school year; and (2)  all elementary schools, middle schools, charter schools and private schools beginning in the 2026-2027 school year."