PREFILED JAN 09 2026
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REFERENCE TITLE: cardiac emergency response plans; schools |
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State of Arizona Senate Fifty-seventh Legislature Second Regular Session 2026
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SB 1131 |
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Introduced by Senator Gowan
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AN ACT
amending title 15, chapter 1, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 15-120.08; appropriating monies; relating to public schools.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Title 15, chapter 1, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 15-120.08, to read:
15-120.08. Public schools; cardiac emergency response plans; definition
A. On or before August 1, 2027, each public school in this state shall adopt a cardiac emergency response plan that includes:
1. Policies and procedures for school personnel who might respond to an incident in which an individual experiences sudden cardiac arrest or a similar life-threatening emergency while on school grounds. The policies required by this paragraph must:
(a) Establish a cardiac emergency response team composed of school personnel.
(b) Require members of the cardiac emergency response team to complete training in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of automated external defibrillators that follows guidelines prescribed by a nationally recognized organization that is focused on emergency cardiovascular care. A public school may provide the training required pursuant to this subdivision to school personnel who are not members of the cardiac emergency response team.
2. Evidence-based core elements that are recommended by a nationally recognized organization that is focused on emergency cardiovascular care.
3. Policies that prescribe the appropriate number and placement of automated external defibrillators at each school site. The policies required by this paragraph must ensure that each automated defibrillator is all of the following:
(a) In an unlocked location that is clearly marked and easily accessible during the school day.
(b) In a location from which the automated external defibrillator may be retrieved and used at the school site within three minutes.
(c) In a location that complies with guidelines that are established by a nationally recognized organization that is focused on evidence-based emergency cardiovascular care.
(d) Maintained in good working order and tested according to the manufacturer's guidelines.
4. Procedures to notify the appropriate first aid, ambulance, rescue squad or other appropriate emergency medical services provider when the school acquires an automated external defibrillator for a school site. The notification required pursuant to this paragraph must include both the type and location of each automated external defibrillator.
B. A school may accept gifts, grants, donations and in-kind donations for the purposes of this section, including to purchase and maintain automated external defibrillators and to provide the required training for school personnel.
C. For the purposes of this section, "automated external defibrillator" has the same meaning prescribed in section 36-2261.
Sec. 2. Appropriation; department of education; cardiac emergency response plans; exemption
A. The sum of $1,000,000 is appropriated from the state general fund in fiscal year 2026-2027 to the department of education for the purpose of implementing section 15-120.08, Arizona Revised Statutes, as added by this act.
B. The department shall distribute monies appropriated pursuant to subsection A of this section to public schools that offer instruction to students in any combination of kindergarten programs and grades one through twelve. The department shall prioritize distributions to public schools in which at least fifty percent of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches. A public school may use monies that are distributed pursuant to this subsection for any of the following:
1. Purchasing or maintaining automated external defibrillators as defined in section 36-2261, Arizona Revised Statutes.
2. Purchasing cardiopulmonary resuscitation training kits.
3. Providing the training in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of automated external defibrillators to school personnel to satisfy the requirements prescribed by section 15-120.08, subsection A, paragraph 1, subdivision (b), Arizona Revised Statutes, as added by this act.
4. Purchasing other goods or services that are identified by the department of education and are necessary for the implementation of section 15-120.08, Arizona Revised Statutes, as added by this act.
C. The appropriation made in subsection A of this section is exempt from the provisions of section 35-190, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to lapsing of appropriations.