The Georgia House of Representatives voted 165–0 to pass Senate Bill 148, a multi-part education measure establishing a pilot program for outdoor learning spaces on K–12 properties, removing a physician requirement from AED programs in schools and increasing teachers’ annual personal and professional sick leave from three to five days.

Proponents described the bill as a set of modest, evidence-based changes intended to support student health, classroom engagement and school safety. Representative Jasmine Hong, presenting the bill, said the measure combines three previously separate pieces of legislation into one substitute and highlighted the pilot for outdoor learning and the AED and leave provisions.

Supporters from the education community told the chamber the outdoor-learning pilot could improve focus, mental health and engagement for younger students and those who do not thrive in traditional classroom settings. A teacher who addressed the House called the pilot “thoughtful and forward-looking” and said it would let districts evaluate outcomes without mandating statewide implementation.

The AED provision removes the statutory requirement that a licensed physician be part of an AED program, aligning the law with typical practice that AEDs are intended for lay rescuers. Representative Ramon and other speakers stressed time-to-shock as the critical factor in survival from sudden cardiac arrest and cited statistics on survival improvements when defibrillators are available quickly at schools.

The measure also increases the number of days teachers may use for personal or professional reasons from three to five, a change advocates said supports teacher retention and wellbeing.

The House adopted the rules committee substitute, heard multiple floor speakers in favor, ordered final passage and recorded the 165–0 vote for passage. The bill passed the House with the requisite majority and will proceed according to legislative process for enrollment and any further action required.

The bill contains three main sections: (1) a pilot program for outdoor learning spaces on elementary and secondary school property; (2) AED program changes removing a physician requirement; and (3) expansion of allowable personal/professional sick leave for educators from three to five days per year.

Supporters emphasized the non‑mandating nature of the pilot and the life‑saving aspects of broader AED access. No formal amendments to change the bill’s core purposes were recorded during floor debate prior to the final vote.

The House recorded the final passage vote as 165 yeas, 0 nays.