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Committee considers bill requiring cardiac emergency response plans and drills in schools and athletic facilities
Summary
HB1363 would require public and nonpublic schools to develop cardiac emergency response plans and incorporate cardiac-response drills into emergency drills. Supporters called it a life-saving measure; school groups warned of unfunded costs and liability concerns and asked for collaboration with health agencies.
House Bill 1363 would require public and nonpublic schools and athletic facilities to adopt cardiac emergency response plans (SERPs), integrate those plans into approval requirements and conduct related drills. Representative Lisa Meyer introduced the bill, and witnesses said the measure is intended to save lives by reducing delays before CPR and AED use.
Meyer told the committee the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Public Instruction should collaborate on a customizable SERP template for schools. She noted that "heart disease is the number one cause of death for North Dakotans" and that schools host many community events where cardiac emergencies can occur.
Supporters from the American Heart Association, local volunteers and medical professionals urged passage. Tony Burke of the American Heart Association said simpler, hands-only CPR training and ready AEDs can make bystanders effective first responders and that the association is prepared to provide "plug-and-play" implementation guides and checklists. Greg Gallagher, a Mandan resident and AHA volunteer, said a plan and training reduces the "tick, tock" delay where survival declines about 7–10% per minute without effective CPR.
Several witnesses who work with schools recommended the state provide templates and technical assistance. Michelle Tipton, an emergency medical services instructor who participated online, urged completing efforts that began with earlier AED-placement legislation and said a comprehensive program must include visible AED placement, maintenance, annual drills and EMS involvement.
School associations and local education leaders raised concerns about cost and operational burden. The North Dakota School Boards Association and the North Dakota Council of Educational Leaders said the bill, as drafted, contains elements that would create an unfunded mandate: establishing teams, placing and maintaining AEDs, training personnel and annual drills could require local resources. They also asked for liability protections where schools have followed approved plans but an event nonetheless results in a poor outcome. The Department of Public Instruction said it would support the bill if the Department of Health and Human Services is added as a partner to provide health expertise; DPI also referenced the 2024 PE standards and existing guidance available to districts.
Why it matters: supporters said SERPs and drills reduce response time and increase survival from sudden cardiac arrest in schools and at community events; opponents asked the legislature to provide funding, guidance and legal protections to ensure districts can implement plans without diverting scarce resources.
Next steps: a committee amendment to add DHHS to collaborate with DPI on a customizable template has been proposed; the committee heard extensive testimony and closed the hearing. Lawmakers and advocacy groups signaled willingness to work on language that balances readiness with implementation costs and local flexibility.
