HB 1943 — An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in school health services, further providing for automatic external defibrillators, providing for automated external defibrillators and training, further providing for sudden cardiac arrest and electrocardiogram testing and providing for electrocardiogram testing for interscholastic athletics; and, in terms and courses of study, further providing for cardiopulmonary resuscitation education.

PRINTER'S NO.   2452

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 1943
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY SCOTT, PROBST, GUENST, RIVERA, HILL-EVANS, KUZMA,
        FRANKEL AND SANCHEZ, OCTOBER 14, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, OCTOBER 16, 2025


                                    AN ACT
 1   Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
 2      act relating to the public school system, including certain
 3      provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
 4      schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
 5      laws relating thereto," in school health services, further
 6      providing for automatic external defibrillators, providing
 7      for automated external defibrillators and training, further
 8      providing for sudden cardiac arrest and electrocardiogram
 9      testing and providing for electrocardiogram testing for
10      interscholastic athletics; and, in terms and courses of
11      study, further providing for cardiopulmonary resuscitation
12      education.
13      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
14   hereby enacts as follows:
15      Section 1.    Section 1423 of the act of March 10, 1949
16   (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, is
17   amended to read:
18      Section 1423.    [Automatic] Automated External
19   Defibrillators.--(a)    The department shall establish an
20   [automatic] automated external defibrillator program to assist
21   school entities and nonpublic schools in making [automatic]
22   automated external defibrillators available in school buildings.
23      (b)   On a biennial basis, the department, in consultation
 1   with the Department of General Services and the Department of
 2   Health, shall issue an invitation to bid for the cost of
 3   [automatic] automated external defibrillators and other
 4   equipment and supplies necessary for the proper operation of the
 5   device. The department shall accept the bid of the lowest
 6   responsible bidder and permit any school entity or nonpublic
 7   school to purchase the devices at the contract bid price. The
 8   department may purchase [automatic] automated external
 9   defibrillators from any funds appropriated pursuant to
10   subsection (k) for distribution to school entities and nonpublic
11   schools.
12      (c)     To be eligible to obtain or purchase [automatic]
13   automated external defibrillators under the program a school
14   entity or nonpublic school must:
15      (1)     Assure that two (2) or more persons assigned to the
16   location where the [automatic] automated external defibrillator
17   will be primarily housed are trained as required in subsection
18   (d).
19      (2)     Ensure that the device will be secured in a safe and
20   readily accessible location and agree to properly maintain and
21   test the device according to the manufacturer's operational
22   guidelines.
23      [(3)     Submit a valid prescription for the device from a
24   licensed medical practitioner in this Commonwealth.]
25      (4)     Agree to provide the training required by subsection
26   (d).
27      (d)     School personnel who are expected to use the [automatic]
28   automated external defibrillator shall complete training in
29   cardiopulmonary resuscitation and in the use of an [automatic]
30   automated external defibrillator provided by the American Heart

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 1   Association, the American Red Cross or through an equivalent
 2   course of instruction approved by the Department of Health.
 3      (e)   A school entity may include the training required by
 4   subsection (d) in its continuing professional education plan
 5   submitted to the department under section 1205.1.
 6      (f)   The provisions of 42 Pa.C.S. § 8331.2 (relating to good
 7   Samaritan civil immunity for use of [automatic] automated
 8   external defibrillator) shall apply to school employes who
 9   render care with an [automatic] automated external
10   defibrillator.
11      (g)   From funds appropriated for this purpose or from other
12   funds available, the department may assist school entities and
13   nonpublic schools that are not equipped with [automatic]
14   automated external defibrillators by providing a discount from
15   the contract bid price obtained under subsection (b) or by
16   providing [automatic] automated external defibrillators obtained
17   under subsection (b).
18      (g.1)   The purchase of an [automatic] automated external
19   defibrillator shall be considered an allowable use of
20   Pennsylvania Accountability Grants under section 2599.2(b).
21      (g.2)   The purchase of [automatic] automated external
22   defibrillators shall be considered an innovative educational
23   program under Article XVII-F of the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6,
24   No.2), known as the "Tax Reform Code of 1971."
25      (h)   (Reserved).
26      (i)   Not later than June 30, 2014, and each year thereafter,
27   each school entity shall make a report to the department
28   detailing the number, condition, age and placement of
29   [automatic] automated external defibrillators in each school
30   building. After the initial report is made, a school entity may

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 1   report this information as part of the annual report required by
 2   the Commonwealth under section 2505.1 to receive State
 3   reimbursement for health services.
 4      (i.1)   A nonpublic school that participates in the
 5   [automatic] automated external defibrillator program under
 6   subsection (b) or (g) shall be subject to the reporting required
 7   under subsection (i).
 8      (i.2)   The department shall annually publish a report on its
 9   publicly accessible Internet website no later than December 31,
10   2014, and each year thereafter. The report shall contain the
11   following information:
12      (1)   The total number of [automatic] automated external
13   defibrillators by school entity and nonpublic school.
14      (2)   The number of school buildings by school entity and
15   nonpublic school that are equipped with [automatic] automated
16   external defibrillators.
17      (3)   The number of school buildings by school entity and
18   nonpublic school that are not equipped with [automatic]
19   automated external defibrillators.
20      (j)   The department may adopt guidelines as necessary to
21   administer this section.
22      (k)   The General Assembly may appropriate funds to carry out
23   the provisions of this section.
24      (l)   As used in this section--
25      ["Automatic] "Automated external defibrillator" means a
26   portable device that uses electric shock to restore a stable
27   heart rhythm to an individual in cardiac arrest.
28      "Department" means the Department of Education of the
29   Commonwealth.
30      "Nonpublic school" means a nonprofit school, other than a

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 1   public school within this Commonwealth, wherein a resident of
 2   this Commonwealth may legally fulfill the compulsory school
 3   attendance requirements of this act and which meets the
 4   applicable requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of
 5   1964 (Public Law 88-352, 78 Stat. 241).
 6      "School building" means a building owned by or under the
 7   control of a school entity or nonpublic school where classes are
 8   taught or extracurricular activities are conducted on a regular
 9   basis.
10      "School entity" means an area career and technical school, a
11   charter school, a cyber charter school, an intermediate unit or
12   a school district.
13      "Secretary" means the Secretary of Education of the
14   Commonwealth.
15      Section 2.    The act is amended by adding a section to read:
16      Section 1423.1.     Automated External Defibrillators and
17   Training.--(a)   (1)   Each school entity shall place an automated
18   external defibrillator in an easily accessible, centralized
19   location in each occupied school building or facility where
20   school-sponsored activities or athletic activities occur.
21      (2)   A minimum of four school entity employes trained in the
22   use of an automated external defibrillator must be present
23   within one thousand (1,000) feet of the location of an automated
24   external defibrillator throughout the school day.
25      (3)   A minimum of two school entity employes or volunteers
26   trained in the use of an automated external defibrillator must
27   be present within two hundred (200) yards of an automated
28   external defibrillator at each school-sponsored or school-
29   approved athletic activity.
30      (4)   The following school entity employes shall participate,

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 1   on an annual basis, in training on the use of an automated
 2   external defibrillator provided by the American Heart
 3   Association, the American Red Cross or through an equivalent
 4   course of instruction approved by the Department of Health:
 5      (i)    The school nurse and at least one additional member of
 6   the nursing staff.
 7      (ii)    The school principal and at least one additional member
 8   of school administration.
 9      (iii)     A physical education teacher.
10      (iv)    The head coach of each athletic team and at least one
11   additional member of the coaching staff.
12      (v)    The school resource officer or any other school security
13   personnel.
14      (vi)    The director of athletic activities or a designee.
15      (vii)     Any other employe as assigned by the school entity in
16   compliance with this section.
17      (b)    Each school entity shall perform an annual inspection to
18   ensure that each automated external defibrillator is functional
19   according to manufacturer's guidelines.
20      (c)    On an annual basis, each school entity shall report to
21   the Department of Education and Department of Health the
22   following information:
23      (1)    The number of automated external defibrillators placed
24   in school buildings and facilities.
25      (2)    The names of employes trained in the use of automated
26   external defibrillators and proof of certification or successful
27   completion of training.
28      (3)    Any other information requested by the Department of
29   Education or Department of Health relating to automated external
30   defibrillator availability and training.

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 1      (d)   As used in this section, the following words and phrases
 2   shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection:
 3      "Athletic activity."     Any of the following:
 4      (1)   Interscholastic athletics as defined in section 1602-A.
 5      (2)   An athletic contest or competition, other than
 6   interscholastic athletics, that is sponsored by or associated
 7   with a school entity, including cheerleading, club-sponsored
 8   sports activities or sports activities sponsored by school-
 9   affiliated organizations.
10      (3)   Noncompetitive cheerleading that is sponsored by or
11   associated with a school entity.
12      (4)   Practices, interschool practices and scrimmages for an
13   activity listed under clause (1), (2) or (3).
14      "Automated external defibrillator."       As defined in section
15   1423.
16      "School building or facility."       A building or facility owned
17   by or under the control of a school entity or, in the case of a
18   cyber charter school, at each location under the cyber charter
19   school's jurisdiction, where classes are taught or
20   extracurricular activities are conducted on a regular basis.
21      "School entity."   A public school, charter school, cyber
22   charter school, private school, nonpublic school, intermediate
23   unit or area career and technical school.
24      "School resource officer" or "school security personnel."         As
25   defined in section 1301-C.
26      "School-sponsored activities."       Assemblies, graduation
27   ceremonies, athletic activities, extracurricular activities,
28   clubs, groups, teams or any activities sponsored, held or
29   approved by the school entity whether held during normal school
30   hours or otherwise.

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 1      Section 3.    Section 1425(a)(1) introductory paragraph, (i)
 2   and (iii) and (d)(1) of the act are amended to read:
 3      Section 1425.       Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Electrocardiogram
 4   Testing.--(a)    (1)    The department and the Department of
 5   Education shall develop and post on their publicly accessible
 6   Internet websites guidelines and other relevant materials to
 7   inform and educate students participating in or desiring to
 8   participate in an athletic activity, their parents or guardians
 9   and their coaches about:
10      (i)   The nature and warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest,
11   including the risks associated with continuing to play or
12   practice after experiencing one (1) or more symptoms of sudden
13   cardiac arrest, including fainting, difficulty breathing,
14   shortness of breath, chest pains, dizziness and abnormal racing
15   heart rate.
16      * * *
17      (iii)   The [option] requirement to request, from the family's
18   medical provider or a cardiologist, the administration of an
19   electrocardiogram, in addition to the comprehensive initial
20   participation physical examination, at a cost to be incurred by
21   the parent or guardian.
22      * * *
23      (d)   (1)    Once each school year, a coach of an athletic
24   activity shall complete [the sudden cardiac arrest training
25   course] training in sudden cardiac arrest and the use of an
26   automated external defibrillator offered by a provider approved
27   by the department.
28      * * *
29      Section 4.    The act is amended by adding a section to read:
30      Section 1426.       Electrocardiogram Testing for Interscholastic

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 1   Athletics.--(a)   Except as provided under subsection (f), the
 2   following students shall receive an electrocardiogram:
 3      (1)   For the 2026-2027 school year, each student who
 4   participates in interscholastic athletics or is a candidate for
 5   an interscholastic athletic team.
 6      (2)   For the 2027-2028 school year and each school year
 7   thereafter, each student in grades six through eight who, for
 8   the first time, participates in interscholastic athletics or is
 9   a candidate for an interscholastic athletic team.
10      (3)   For the 2027-2028 school year and each school year
11   thereafter, each student in grades nine through twelve who, for
12   the first time since entering grade nine, participates in
13   interscholastic athletics or is a candidate for an
14   interscholastic athletic team.
15      (b)   For a student under subsection (a), the parent or legal
16   guardian shall provide to the school entity one of the
17   following:
18      (1)   Certification from the family's primary care provider, a
19   cardiologist or another health care provider with specialized
20   training in cardiovascular screening techniques and protocols,
21   as approved by the Department of Health, that the student
22   received electrocardiogram testing and does not exhibit signs,
23   symptoms or risk factors of sudden cardiac arrest.
24      (2)   A written notice under subsection (f).
25      (c)   If a student fails an electrocardiogram, the student
26   shall obtain a comprehensive cardiovascular examination by a
27   cardiologist within one hundred twenty (120) days or before the
28   start of the next school year, whichever occurs first. The
29   notice submitted to the school entity shall include a form
30   completed by the examining cardiologist.

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 1      (d)    Except as provided under subsection (f), a student who
 2   fails to submit the certification required under subsection (b)
 3   (1) or to complete the examination required under subsection (c)
 4   shall be ineligible to participate in interscholastic athletics
 5   until the required documentation is provided to the school
 6   entity.
 7      (e)    A school entity shall not be required to arrange
 8   comprehensive cardiovascular examinations and shall not be
 9   financially responsible for the treatment of a student who fails
10   an electrocardiogram.
11      (f)    A student may participate in interscholastic athletics
12   or be a candidate for an interscholastic athletic team if the
13   student's parent or legal guardian objects in writing to the
14   student receiving an electrocardiogram on the ground that the
15   electrocardiogram is contrary to the parent's or legal
16   guardian's religious tenets or practices. If an objection is
17   submitted under this subsection, no liability shall arise for a
18   person or entity that would otherwise rely on electrocardiogram
19   results for damages that arise directly from the student's
20   participation in interscholastic athletics where an undisclosed
21   medical condition that would have been revealed by an
22   electrocardiogram is a proximate cause of the injury or death.
23   The parent or legal guardian shall provide a written release of
24   liability prepared by an attorney in good standing and licensed
25   to practice law in this Commonwealth. The parent or legal
26   guardian may also submit a written recommendation from the
27   student's primary care provider, a cardiologist or another
28   health care provider with specialized training in cardiovascular
29   screening techniques and protocols, as approved by the
30   Department of Health, stating that the student does not require

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 1   an electrocardiogram.
 2       (g)   As used in this section, the term "interscholastic
 3   athletics" means athletic contests or competitions conducted
 4   between or among a school district, intermediate unit, area
 5   career and technical school, charter school, cyber charter
 6   school, regional charter school or nonpublic school entity.
 7       Section 5.   Section 1528(c)(1) of the act is amended and the
 8   subsection is amended by adding clauses to read:
 9       Section 1528.   Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Education.--* *
10   *
11       (c)   (1)   [A] Through the 2025-2026 school year, a school
12   entity that offers instruction in CPR may utilize the model
13   curriculum developed under subsections (a) and (b) or develop
14   the school entity's own curriculum in accordance with academic
15   standards and consistent with guidelines developed under
16   subsections (a) and (b). A school entity may utilize appropriate
17   publicly or privately available materials, personnel and other
18   resources in developing and implementing this instruction,
19   subject to the requirements of section 111 and 23 Pa.C.S. § 6344
20   (relating to employees having contact with children; adoptive
21   and foster parents).
22       * * *
23       (3)   Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, a school
24   entity shall provide instruction in CPR for all students in
25   grade nine and grade eleven. The instruction shall be based on a
26   one-hour, nationally recognized program that uses the most
27   current evidence-based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines
28   and shall include practice of the psychomotor skills associated
29   with performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation and using an
30   automated external defibrillator if the school entity has the

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1   necessary equipment. A school entity may utilize public or
2   private partnerships to provide training or funding.
3      (4)     Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, a student may
4   not graduate from a high school unless the student has
5   successfully completed instruction in CPR consistent with this
6   section.
7      * * *
8      Section 6.     This act shall take effect in 60 days.




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