Committee backs bill to align school AED placement and maintenance with national guidelines

House Education sent Senate Bill 191 to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation after unanimous committee support. The amended bill removes outdated statutory language requiring physician sign-off and an authorized-user list for automated external defibrillators and instead instructs school governing authorities to follow nationally recognized guidelines for AED placement, maintenance and access.

Sponsor remarks framed the change as a life-saving, evidence-based update. "Every year we hear tragic stories of young people collapsing due to sudden cardiac arrest," said a bill sponsor. Committee sponsor Representative Gilchrist emphasized that AEDs are effective only if accessible and maintained: "Following nationally recognized guidelines means AEDs in our schools will be available for use when someone goes into sudden cardiac arrest."

Witnesses described on-campus rescues and near-misses. Ashley Cowan, a licensed athletic trainer at Bear Creek High School, recounted a basketball official who collapsed and was revived after an AED shock delivered in 1 minute 40 seconds. "Within just 1 minute and 40 seconds of his collapse, we had placed the AED on his chest and delivered a shock," Cowan said. Eric Haidorn of the American Heart Association testified that when AEDs are present and used quickly, survival rates increase dramatically: "90 percent of people in cardiac arrest who receive a shock from an AED in the first minute will live. However, the survival rate drops by 10 percent for every minute that goes by without an AED used."

Key changes and context: - Removes statutory requirements that can delay AED deployment (physician signature, maintained list of authorized users) and replaces them with compliance with nationally recognized guidelines for placement, unlocked availability, signage and maintenance. - Preserves a requirement that schools adopt written plans describing AED placement and maintenance, but the bill as amended does not mandate statewide procurement or specify state funding for devices. - Sponsors and supporters acknowledged the state’s difficult budget climate and noted further work is planned to address athletic‑specific requirements and potential funding sources.

Support and concerns: The American Heart Association, athletic trainers, school administrators and parents urged passage; several members voiced concern about unfunded mandates. Representative AML Bacon said the lack of statewide funding for AEDs saddens her and pledged to seek budget options. Committee Chair Lukens and Representative Gilchrist said they will continue efforts to expand protections for student athletes.

Votes at a glance: Committee vote to send SB 191 to the Committee of the Whole was unanimous.

What’s next: The bill advances to the Committee of the Whole. Sponsors indicated they will continue engagement on funding and on potential further steps to ensure AEDs at athletic venues are available and maintained.

Ending: Supporters described the measure as an incremental but important life-safety improvement that aligns statute with modern AED design and public-use guidance.