Committee hears testimony supporting HB 54 to require AEDs and cardiac-response plans in high schools

Jacob Willis, a college student and volunteer for Simon’s Heart, told the House Education Committee that House Bill 54 would save lives by placing automatic external defibrillators, or AEDs, in high schools and training staff to use them. “AEDs in schools are, I believe, to be absolutely essential,” Willis said, citing a survival jump when an AED is used within three minutes.

The bill’s amendment under discussion would require each high school to develop and implement a cardiac emergency response plan (a SERP) outlining who is trained to perform CPR and use AEDs, how devices are maintained, and where they are stored. Committee members focused on whether the amendment would create a standalone plan or be incorporated into schools’ existing safety plans. Representative Baca said she preferred the requirement be included in each school’s existing safety plan rather than as a separate document so districts would not have to create a separate review mechanism.

Lillie May Ortiz, legislative liaison for the New Mexico School Boards Association, testified in support of HB 54’s safety goals but warned there is no appropriation in the bill and that costs would fall to districts, creating what she described as an unfunded mandate. “We do ask consideration of adding an appropriation,” Ortiz said. Edward Webster, government relations director for NEA New Mexico, and students from El Dorado High School also testified in favor of the bill. A committee witness identified local fire departments as a potential training resource.

Committee members pressed for details on training frequency, accessibility of devices, maintenance and warranty options. Jacob Willis and witnesses described one model under consideration, the Avive AED, and said average unit costs range roughly from $1,200 to $2,500 and that some vendor warranties include an upkeep plan that can run about $200 per unit per year and which may include pad and battery replacement.

Lawmakers also discussed scope. Several members said the bill as written applies to high schools only and urged clarifying language to avoid implying requirements for elementary and middle schools. Representative Garrett asked whether the amendment’s language should be corrected from “each school” to “each high school,” and sponsors agreed to refine the language.

The committee debated whether training should be required annually or at a different cadence. Sponsors said the amendment intends annual training to ensure personnel remain current, though witnesses noted some American Heart Association certifications are issued on a two-year cycle; the bill language was drafted to require annual access to training with possible flexibility on whether an individual must retrain every year.

After lengthy discussion and public testimony, the committee voted to table the amendment so sponsors could work with staff and members to redraft the proposal and address concerns about scope, funding and administrative burden. The chair said members should work with LESC staff and submit revised language later.

Committee members and witnesses emphasized that whatever final language is adopted should address accessible placement of AEDs (for example, at athletic fields as well as in nurse offices), multilingual notification for diverse communities, and funding options to avoid shifting costs entirely to districts.