SB 619 — 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 sudden cardiac arrest and electrocardiogram testing.

PRINTER'S NO.    630

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                        SENATE BILL
                        No. 619
                                                Session of
                                                  2025

     INTRODUCED BY MUTH, KANE, HUGHES, TARTAGLIONE, LAUGHLIN, COSTA,
        FONTANA, SAVAL, CAPPELLETTI, HAYWOOD AND VOGEL,
        APRIL 11, 2025

     REFERRED TO EDUCATION, APRIL 11, 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 sudden cardiac arrest and electrocardiogram
 7      testing.
 8      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 9   hereby enacts as follows:
10      Section 1.     Section 1425(d) and (h) of the act of March 10,
11   1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949,
12   are amended and the section is amended by adding a subsection to
13   read:
14      Section 1425.    Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Electrocardiogram
15   Testing.--* * *
16      (d)   (1)   Once each school year, a coach of an athletic
17   activity shall complete the sudden cardiac arrest training
18   course offered by a provider approved by the department.
19      (1.1)   In accordance with clause (3), a coach of an athletic
20   activity shall be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and
 1   the use of an automated external defibrillator.
 2      (2)    A coach of an athletic activity shall not coach the
 3   athletic activity until the coach completes the training
 4   [course] courses required under this subsection.
 5      (3)    A coach shall attain and renew certifications for
 6   cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated
 7   external defibrillator every two (2) years through the American
 8   Heart Association, the American Red Cross or an equivalent
 9   course of instruction approved by the department. The school
10   entity shall keep a record of each certified coach under clause
11   (1.1) with the date certified, and renewed, if applicable, and
12   make the information available to the public at the school
13   entity.
14      (d.1)    Once each school year, an employee of the school
15   entity who supervises a school-sponsored activity regardless of
16   whether the school-sponsored activity is during or after school,
17   shall:
18      (1)    Complete the sudden cardiac arrest training course
19   offered by the American Heart Association, the American Red
20   Cross or through an equivalent course of instruction approved by
21   the department.
22      (2)    Not supervise any school-sponsored activity until the
23   employee becomes certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and
24   the use of an automated external defibrillator.
25      (3)    Attain and renew certifications every two (2) years
26   through the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross
27   or an equivalent course of instruction approved by the
28   department.
29      * * *
30      (h)    As used in this section--

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 1        "Athletic activity" means all of the following:
 2        (1)   Interscholastic athletics.
 3        (2)   An athletic contest or competition, other than
 4   interscholastic athletics, that is sponsored by or associated
 5   with a school entity, including cheerleading, club-sponsored
 6   sports activities and sports activities sponsored by school-
 7   affiliated organizations.
 8        (3)   Noncompetitive cheerleading that is sponsored by or
 9   associated with a school entity.
10        (4)   Practices, interschool practices and scrimmages for all
11   of the activities listed under clauses (1), (2) and (3).
12        "Automated external defibrillator" means the same as
13   "automatic external defibrillator" as defined in section
14   1423(l).
15        "Department" means the Department of Health of the
16   Commonwealth.
17        "Interscholastic athletics" means as defined in section 1602-
18   A.
19        "School entity" means as defined in section 1602-A.
20        "School-sponsored activity" means assemblies, graduation
21   ceremonies, athletics, extracurricular activities, clubs,
22   groups, teams or any activity sponsored, held or approved by the
23   school entity whether held during or outside of normal school
24   hours.
25        Section 2.   This act shall take effect in 60 days.




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