The Rockville Centre Union Free School District opened a public hearing Nov. 6 on proposed updates to the district-wide safety plan following a new state law often called "Desha's Law," which requires accessible automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and trained personnel in school safety plans.

"There's been a new law that was introduced in July. It's called Desha's Law," said the district director of security, explaining that the legislation was prompted by the death of a student after an AED was not accessible in a gym. He said the law requires AED accessibility and a number of trained people and must be implemented by January 20 (year not specified in the presentation).

The security director reported the district has 27 AED units across its schools, including seven at the high school and five at the middle school, and said nurses and trained volunteers are instructed in AED use. The director presented the changes at the board meeting as part of the required public-hearing process for the safety plan update.

When the board opened the floor specifically for visitors to comment on the safety plan, no members of the public offered remarks on the plan during the hearing.

Board members did not record any additional action at the hearing; the presentation served as notice and an opportunity for public comment on the proposed safety-plan language and implementation timeline.

The district's presentation and the public-hearing record will be part of the formal record used to finalize the safety plan before the stated implementation deadline.