Section 37-11-87 - Cardiac emergency response plan for public schools; development of plan; plan to integrate certain guidelines; training of staff(1) Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, each public school shall develop a cardiac emergency response plan (CERP) that addresses the appropriate use of school personnel to respond to incidents involving an individual experiencing sudden cardiac arrest or a similar life-threatening emergency while on school grounds.(2) Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, each public school with an athletic department or organized athletic program shall develop a cardiac emergency response plan that addresses the appropriate use of school personnel to respond to incidents involving an individual experiencing sudden cardiac arrest or a similar life-threatening emergency while attending or participating in an athletic practice or event while on school grounds.(3) School officials shall work directly with local emergency service providers to integrate the CERP into the community's EMS responder protocols. Each plan shall integrate evidence-based core elements, such as those recommended by the American Heart Association guidelines or another nationally recognized, evidence-based standard.(4) The CERP shall integrate, at a minimum, the following guidelines: (a) Establishing a cardiac emergency response team;(b) Activating the team in response to a SCA;(c) A plan for implementing AED placement and routine maintenance within the school;(d) Disseminating the plan throughout the school campus;(e) Maintaining ongoing staff training in CPR/AED use;(f) Practicing using drills annually;(g) Integrating local EMS with the plan; and(h) Ongoing and annual review and evaluation of the plan.(5) Appropriate AED placement shall be dictated by the CERP and in accordance with guidelines set by the American Heart Association or another nationally recognized, evidence-based standard. A school or local and regional board of education may accept gifts, grants and donations, including in-kind donations designated for the purchase of an AED that meets the standards established by the United States Food and Drug Administration and for the costs incurred to inspect and maintain such device and train staff in the use of such device.(6) Appropriate school staff shall be trained in first-aid, CPR, and AED use that follow evidence-based guidelines set forth by the American Heart Association or another nationally recognized, evidence-based standard. Staff trained shall be determined by the CERP, including, but not limited to, licensed coaches, school nurses and athletic trainers.Added by Laws, 2024, ch. 383, SB 2349,§ 2, eff. 7/1/2024.