SB 620 — An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in grounds and buildings, providing for automated external defibrillator placement, inspection, maintenance and plan; in school health services, further providing for automatic external defibrillators; and, in charter schools, further providing for provisions applicable to charter schools and for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations.

PRINTER'S NO.   631

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                        SENATE BILL
                        No. 620
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY MUTH, KANE, HUGHES, COMITTA, TARTAGLIONE, COSTA,
        FONTANA, SAVAL AND HAYWOOD, 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 grounds and buildings, providing
 6      for automated external defibrillator placement, inspection,
 7      maintenance and plan; in school health services, further
 8      providing for automatic external defibrillators; and, in
 9      charter schools, further providing for provisions applicable
10      to charter schools and for applicability of other provisions
11      of this act and of other acts and regulations.
12      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
13   hereby enacts as follows:
14      Section 1.    The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
15   as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
16   section to read:
17      Section 743.    Automated External Defibrillator Placement,
18   Inspection, Maintenance and Plan.--(a)   Beginning in the 2025-
19   2026 school year and each school y ear thereafter, each school
20   building or facility where children in kindergarten through
21   grade twelve attend school or participate in school-sponsored
22   activities shall have at least one automated external
 1   defibrillator system placed in a central location that is
 2   accessible for use. A school entity shall place an automated
 3   external defibrillator:
 4      (1)   with appropriate signage in accordance with best
 5   practices and American Heart Association guidelines on the
 6   effective date of this section, including three dimensional
 7   signs and arrows, in plain view, leading to and beside the
 8   automated external defibrillator;
 9      (2)   with instructions for the proper use of the automated
10   external defibrillator at the location of the automated external
11   defibrillator;
12      (3)   in an accessible location during normal school hours and
13   any school-sponsored activities;
14      (4)   in compliance with 42 U.S.C. Ch. 126 (relating to equal
15   opportunity for individuals with disabilities), including
16   placing the automated external defibrillator not more than
17   forty-eight (48) inches above the floor or ground; and
18      (5)   in a location that is no more than one thousand (1,000)
19   feet in distance from a designated member of the cardiac
20   emergency response team under subsection (d) in the school
21   entity's protocol for access to the automated external
22   defibrillator.
23      (b)   For an automated external defibrillator installed before
24   the effective date of this section, a school entity shall
25   register the automated external defibrillator within ten days of
26   the effective date of this section. For an automated external
27   defibrillator installed after the effective date of this
28   section, a school entity shall register the automated external
29   defibrillator immediately upon installation. The school entity
30   shall register the automated external defibrillator with the

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 1   following:
 2      (1)    The National AED Registry.
 3      (2)    The manufacturer of the automated external
 4   defibrillator.
 5      (3)    Local emergency medical services.
 6      (c)    A school entity shall develop a schedule to inspect an
 7   automated external defibrillator in each school building or
 8   facility and a standard form for completion as a record of the
 9   inspection. The following shall apply:
10      (1)    The schedule to inspect shall require the cardiac
11   emergency response plan site coordinator under subsection (e) to
12   inspect the automated external defibrillator in accordance with
13   the manufacturer's guidelines and to visually determine if there
14   is obvious damage indicating that the automated external
15   defibrillator device or cabinet has been compromised. If the
16   inspection indicates that the automated external defibrillator
17   is nonoperational, the cardiac emergency response plan site
18   coordinator shall immediately do all of the following:
19      (i)    Notify local emergency medical services, the school
20   building administrator, each cardiac emergency response team
21   member and the students, parents, teachers and staff located in
22   the school building or facility where the automated external
23   defibrillator is located.
24      (ii)    Indicate with appropriate signage at the location of
25   the automated external defibrillator that the automated external
26   defibrillator is nonoperational.
27      (iii)     Provide instructions with appropriate signage at the
28   location of the automated external defibrillator where the
29   closest operational automated external defibrillator is located.
30      (iv)    Order replacement parts, request a loaner automated

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 1   external defibrillator and provide notice of the expected date
 2   of restoration of the automated external defibrillator.
 3      (2)    The cardiac emergency response plan site coordinator
 4   shall maintain a record of inspection for an automated external
 5   defibrillator. The cardiac emergency response plan site
 6   coordinator shall make the record of inspection available to the
 7   public at the school entity building or facility where the
 8   automated external defibrillator is located and post the record
 9   of inspection on the school entity's publicly accessible
10   Internet website. The record of inspection shall include, at a
11   minimum, the date when maintenance last occurred or will occur
12   under section 1423(c)(2) and a notation of all of the following
13   data about the automated external defibrillator:
14      (i)    The date of and location of purchase.
15      (ii)    The serial number.
16      (iii)    The warranty expiration date.
17      (iv)    The pad, including the spare pad.
18      (v)    The pad expiration date.
19      (vi)    Whether the replacement of the pad occurred upon
20   inspection.
21      (vii)    The battery expiration date.
22      (viii)     The number of times the automated external
23   defibrillator was used since the last date of inspection.
24      (ix)    Whether the automated external defibrillator is rescue
25   ready as indicated per the manufacturer's guidelines.
26      (x)    Any damage observed or repaired during the inspection of
27   the automated external defibrillator or the automated external
28   defibrillator's case.
29      (d)    A school entity shall develop a protocol for the use of
30   an automated external defibrillator by a trained or untrained

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 1   individual to address, at a minimum, the limitation of
 2   liability when there is an absence of gross negligence or
 3   willful or wanton misconduct that may arise in connection with a
 4   good faith attempt of use or nonuse of the automated external
 5   defibrillator. The following shall apply:
 6      (1)    The protocol shall include, at a minimum, the
 7   development of a cardiac emergency response plan in accordance
 8   with subsection (e) and the designation of a cardiac emergency
 9   response team in each school building or facility where an
10   automated external defibrillator has been placed.
11      (2)    The certified emergency response team shall be comprised
12   in accordance with the following:
13      (i)    At least ten per centum (10%) of the school personnel
14   located in the same school building or facility as an automated
15   external defibrillator who are certified in cardiopulmonary
16   resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator
17   shall be on the certified emergency response team. The members
18   shall attain and renew their certifications every two years
19   through the American Health Association, American Red Cross or
20   an equivalent course of instruction approved by the Department
21   of Health. The school entity shall document and make available
22   to the public a record of each member with the date certified,
23   and renewed if applicable, at the school entity building or
24   facility where each member is designated. The school entity
25   shall ensure that an employe certified to use an automated
26   external defibrillator is located in a school building or
27   facility when the school building or facility is in use for
28   educational purposes or school-sponsored activities.
29      (ii)   At least fifteen per centum (15%) of the certified
30   emergency response team shall be school personnel.

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 1      (iii)    Any other employe or person the school entity deems
 2   essential to implement the cardiac emergency response plan,
 3   provide insight to defects found in the cardiac emergency
 4   response plan and respond to critical incidents related to
 5   cardiac emergencies.
 6      (e)    A school entity shall establish a cardiac emergency
 7   response plan and designate a cardiac emergency response plan
 8   site coordinator. The following shall apply:
 9      (1)    The school entity shall establish the cardiac emergency
10   response plan in accordance with recommendations by the American
11   Health Association on the effective date of this section and
12   update the plan as the school entity deems necessary. The school
13   entity shall provide a copy of the cardiac emergency response
14   plan to the principal with a signed receipt and post the cardiac
15   emergency response plan on the school entity's publicly
16   accessible Internet website.
17      (2)    The cardiac emergency response plan site coordinator
18   shall assist the school entity with adapting to the school
19   entity's needs regarding the cardiac emergency response plan,
20   including a checklist of criteria and procedures. The cardiac
21   emergency response plan site coordinator shall also have the
22   following duties:
23      (i)    Annually review the cardiac emergency response plan and
24   submit the findings of the review to the school entity.
25      (ii)    Designate members of the cardiac emergency response
26   team in accordance with subsection (d).
27      (iii)    Annually verify the certification of cardiac emergency
28   response team members and maintain a database of the certified
29   status of the members in accordance with subsection (d).
30      (iv)    Provide cardiac emergency response team members with

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 1   information regarding the availability of courses for obtaining
 2   or maintaining certified status in accordance with subsection
 3   (d).
 4      (v)     Plan and schedule a cardiac emergency response drill for
 5   the cardiac emergency response team members at least once during
 6   the school year. The drill for cardiac emergency response team
 7   members shall adhere to the plan and can be scheduled during
 8   instructional or professional development time.
 9      (vi)    Prepare and submit to the school entity a summary with
10   recommendations after each cardiac emergency response drill.
11      (vii)    Perform inspections and reports as required under this
12   section.
13      (viii)    Maintain records, reports or summary and findings
14   required under this section.
15      (f)     Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a
16   school entity from placing more than one automated external
17   defibrillator in a school building or facility.
18      (g)     If a school building or facility is not required to have
19   an automated external defibrillator and the school entity does
20   not place an automated external defibrillator on every floor of
21   the school building or facility, but has at least one automated
22   external defibrillator centrally located, the school entity
23   shall ensure that the building, facility or floor without an
24   automated external defibrillator has clear and visible signage
25   and directional arrows to the location of the automated external
26   defibrillator in a separate building, facility or floor.
27      (h)     As used in this section, the following words and phrases
28   shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection:
29      "Athletic activity."    Any of the following:
30      (1)     Interscholastic athletics as defined in section 1602-A.

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 1      (2)     An athletic contest or competition, other than
 2   interscholastic athletics, that is sponsored by or associated
 3   with a school entity, including cheerleading, club-sponsored
 4   sports activities or sports activities sponsored by school-
 5   affiliated organizations.
 6      (3)     Noncompetitive cheerleading that is sponsored by or
 7   associated with a school entity.
 8      (4)     Practices, interschool practices and scrimmages for an
 9   activity listed under clause (1), (2) or (3).
10      "Automated external defibrillator."      As defined in section
11   1423(l).
12      "Automated external defibrillator system."      An automated
13   external defibrillator and accessories necessary for the
14   automated external defibrillator to detect and interpret an
15   electrocardiogram and deliver an electrical shock, including,
16   but not limited to, a battery, pad electrode, adapter and
17   hardware key for pediatric use.
18      "School building or facility."       A building or facility owned
19   by or under the control of a school entity or, in the case of a
20   cyber charter school at each location under its jurisdiction,
21   where classes are taught or extracurricular activities are
22   conducted on a regular basis.
23      "School entity."     A school district, intermediate unit, area
24   career and technical school, charter school, cyber charter
25   school, regional charter school or multiple charter school
26   organization.
27      "School-sponsored activity."     An assembly, graduation
28   ceremony, athletic activity, extracurricular activity, club,
29   group, team or any activity sponsored, held or approved by the
30   school entity whether held during normal school hours or

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 1   otherwise.
 2      Section 2.    Section 1423 heading, (a), (b), (c) introductory
 3   paragraph, (1) and (3), (d), (g), (g.1), (g.2), (i), (i.1),
 4   (i.2), (j) and (l) of the act are amended and the section is
 5   amended by adding a subsection to read:
 6      Section 1423.    [Automatic] Automated External
 7   Defibrillators.--(a)    The department shall establish an
 8   [automatic] automated external defibrillator program to assist
 9   school entities and nonpublic schools in making [automatic]
10   automated external defibrillators available in school buildings
11   or facilities.
12      (b)     On a biennial basis, the department, in consultation
13   with the Department of General Services and the Department of
14   Health, shall issue an invitation to bid for the cost of
15   [automatic] automated external defibrillators and other
16   equipment and supplies necessary for the proper operation of the
17   device. The department shall accept the bid of the lowest
18   responsible bidder and permit any school entity or nonpublic
19   school to purchase the devices at the contract bid price. The
20   department may purchase [automatic] automated external
21   defibrillators from any funds appropriated pursuant to
22   subsection (k) and, in the absence of funds appropriated
23   pursuant to subsection (k), from funds appropriated to the
24   department for distribution to school entities and nonpublic
25   schools.
26      (c)     To be eligible to obtain or purchase [automatic]
27   automated external defibrillators under the program a school
28   entity or nonpublic school must:
29      (1)     Assure that [two (2) or more persons] at least ten per
30   centum (10%) of the school personnel assigned to the location

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 1   where the [automatic] automated external defibrillator will be
 2   primarily housed are trained as required in subsection (d).
 3      * * *
 4      [(3)    Submit a valid prescription for the device from a
 5   licensed medical practitioner in this Commonwealth.]
 6      * * *
 7      (d)    School personnel who are expected to use the [automatic]
 8   automated external defibrillator shall complete training in
 9   cardiopulmonary resuscitation and in the use of an [automatic]
10   automated external defibrillator provided by the American Heart
11   Association, the American Red Cross or through an equivalent
12   course of instruction approved by the Department of Health.
13      * * *
14      (g)    From funds appropriated for this purpose, or in the
15   absence of funds appropriated for this purpose, from funds
16   appropriated to the department, the department may assist school
17   entities and nonpublic schools that are not equipped with
18   [automatic] automated external defibrillators by providing a
19   discount from the contract bid price obtained under subsection
20   (b) or by providing [automatic] automated external
21   defibrillators obtained under subsection (b).
22      (g.1)    The purchase of an [automatic] automated external
23   defibrillator shall be considered an allowable use of
24   Pennsylvania Accountability Grants under section 2599.2(b).
25      (g.2)    The purchase of [automatic] automated external
26   defibrillators shall be considered an innovative educational
27   program under Article XVII-F of the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6,
28   No.2), known as the "Tax Reform Code of 1971."
29      * * *
30      (i)    The following shall apply:

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 1      (1)    Not later than June 30, 2014, and each year thereafter
 2   through the 2024-2025 school year, each school entity shall make
 3   a report to the department detailing the number, condition, age
 4   and placement of [automatic] automated external defibrillators
 5   in each school building. [After the initial report is made, a
 6   school entity may report this information as part of the annual
 7   report required by the Commonwealth under section 2505.1 to
 8   receive State reimbursement for health services.]
 9      (2)    Within three months of the effective date of this
10   paragraph, and in each year a school entity removes or obtains
11   an automated external defibrillator, the school entity shall
12   make a report on a form developed by the department under
13   subsection (j.1), to the department detailing the automated
14   external defibrillators in each school building or facility. The
15   report shall include the following information:
16      (i)    The serial number.
17      (ii)    The date of purchase.
18      (iii)    The date of warranty expiration.
19      (iv)    The date of battery expiration.
20      (v)    The date of pads expiration.
21      (vi)    The precise location with identifying physical
22   attribute markers in the vicinity.
23      (vii)    The total number of automated external defibrillators
24   at the school entity.
25      (3)    Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year and each school
26   year thereafter, a school entity shall make an annual report to
27   the department with any date or information deemed necessary by
28   the department, including the following:
29      (i)    The total number of automated external defibrillators at
30   the school entity.

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 1      (ii)     The number of school buildings or facilities of the
 2   school entity that are equipped with automated external
 3   defibrillators.
 4      (iii)     The number of school buildings or facilities of the
 5   school entity that are not equipped with automated external
 6   defibrillators and an explanation for noncompliance with section
 7   743.
 8      (iv)     The number of school personnel certified to use an
 9   automated external defibrillator by the school entity.
10      (v)    The number of inspections conducted and findings by the
11   school entity under section 743.
12      (vi)     The expiration date of the warranty provided by the
13   manufacturer of each automated external defibrillator used by
14   the school entity.
15      (vii)     The expiration date of each automated external
16   defibrillator battery and pads.
17      (viii)     The number of times each automated external
18   defibrillator was used for its intended purpose by the school
19   entity.
20      (ix)     The precise location of each automated external
21   defibrillator with identifying physical attribute markers in the
22   vicinity.
23      (4)    After the initial report to the department is made, a
24   school entity may report the information required under this
25   subsection as part of the annual report required by the
26   Commonwealth to receive State reimbursement for health services
27   under section 2505.1.
28      (i.1)     A nonpublic school that participates in the
29   [automatic] automated external defibrillator program under
30   subsection (b) or (g) shall be subject to the reporting required

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 1   under subsection (i).
 2      (i.2)    The department shall annually publish a report on its
 3   publicly accessible Internet website no later than December 31,
 4   2014, and each year thereafter. The report shall contain the
 5   following information for each school entity and nonpublic
 6   school:
 7      (1)    The total number of [automatic] automated external
 8   defibrillators [by school entity and nonpublic school].
 9      (2)    The number of school buildings [by school entity and
10   nonpublic school] and facilities that are equipped with
11   [automatic] automated external defibrillators.
12      (3)    The number of school buildings [by school entity and
13   nonpublic school] and facilities that are not equipped with
14   [automatic] automated external defibrillators.
15      (4)    The number of school personnel trained to use automated
16   external defibrillators.
17      (5)    The number of inspections conducted and findings
18   required under section 743.
19      (6)    The expiration date of the warranty provided by the
20   manufacturer of each automated external defibrillator.
21      (7)    The expiration date of each automated external
22   defibrillator battery and pads.
23      (8)    The number of times each automated external
24   defibrillator was used for its intended purpose.
25      (9)    The precise location of each automated external
26   defibrillator with identifying physical attribute markers in the
27   vicinity.
28      (10)     Any other information required by the department.
29      [(j)     The department may adopt guidelines as necessary to
30   administer this section.]

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 1      (j.1)   Within six months of the effective date of this
 2   subsection, the department shall develop a standardized form or
 3   use a form developed by the National AED Registry for a school
 4   entity to complete for the purpose of submitting to the
 5   department data and information required under this section,
 6   test schedules, inspections and test findings required under
 7   section 743 for each automated external defibrillator placed in
 8   the school entity's school buildings or facilities and any other
 9   data and information deemed necessary by the department. The
10   department shall, in consultation with the Department of Health,
11   adopt guidelines based on best practices and industry standards
12   relating to automated external d efibrillator use and programs
13   and any other necessary guidelines to administer this section.
14   The guidelines shall be posted on the department's publicly
15   accessible Internet website and shall be provided to a school
16   entity or nonpublic school on request.
17      * * *
18      (l)   As used in this section--
19      ["Automatic] "Automated external defibrillator" means a
20   portable device that uses electric shock to restore a stable
21   heart rhythm to an individual in cardiac arrest.
22      "Department" means the Department of Education of the
23   Commonwealth.
24      "Nonpublic school" means a nonprofit school, other than a
25   public school within this Commonwealth, wherein a resident of
26   this Commonwealth may legally fulfill the compulsory school
27   attendance requirements of this act and which meets the
28   applicable requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of
29   1964 (Public Law 88-352, 78 Stat. 241).
30      ["School building" means a building owned by or under the

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 1   control of a school entity or nonpublic school where classes are
 2   taught or extracurricular activities are conducted on a regular
 3   basis.]
 4         "School building or facility" means a building or facility
 5   owned by or under the control of a school entity or nonpublic
 6   school where classes are taught or school-sponsored activities,
 7   athletic or otherwise, are conducted on a regular basis,
 8   including a field used for organized athletic events or
 9   competitions.
10         "School-sponsored activity" means an assembly, graduation
11   ceremony, athletics, extracurricular activity, club, group, team
12   or any activity sponsored, held or approved by the school entity
13   or nonpublic school, whether held during normal school hours or
14   otherwise.
15         "School entity" means an area career and technical school, a
16   charter school, a cyber charter school, an intermediate unit or
17   a school district.
18         "Secretary" means the Secretary of Education of the
19   Commonwealth.
20         Section 3.   Section 1732-A(a) of the act is amended to read:
21         Section 1732-A.   Provisions Applicable to Charter Schools.--
22   (a)    Charter schools shall be subject to the following:
23         Sections 108, 110, 111, 321, 325, 326, 327, 431, 436, 443,
24   510, 518, 527, 708, 736, 737, 738, 739, 740, 741, 743, 752, 753,
25   755, 771, 776, 777, 808, 809, 810, 1109, 1111, 1112(a), 1301,
26   1310, 1317, 1317.1, 1317.2, 1318, 1326, 1327, 1327.2, 1329,
27   1330, 1332, 1333, 1333.1, 1333.2, 1333.3, 1303-A, 1513, 1517,
28   1518, 1521, 1523, 1531, 1547, 2014-A, Article XIII-A and Article
29   XIV.
30         Act of July 17, 1961 (P.L.776, No.341), known as the

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 1   "Pennsylvania Fair Educational Opportunities Act."
 2      Act of July 19, 1965 (P.L.215, No.116), entitled "An act
 3   providing for the use of eye protective devices by persons
 4   engaged in hazardous activities or exposed to known dangers in
 5   schools, colleges and universities."
 6      Section 4 of the act of January 25, 1966 (1965 P.L.1546,
 7   No.541), entitled "An act providing scholarships and providing
 8   funds to secure Federal funds for qualified students of the
 9   Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who need financial assistance to
10   attend postsecondary institutions of higher learning, making an
11   appropriation, and providing for the administration of this
12   act."
13      Act of July 12, 1972 (P.L.765, No.181), entitled "An act
14   relating to drugs and alcohol and their abuse, providing for
15   projects and programs and grants to educational agencies, other
16   public or private agencies, institutions or organizations."
17      Act of December 15, 1986 (P.L.1595, No.175), known as the
18   "Antihazing Law."
19      * * *
20      Section 4.     Section 1749-A(a)(1) of the act is amended by
21   adding a subparagraph to read:
22   Section 1749-A.        Applicability of other provisions of this act
23                     and of other acts and regulations.
24      (a)   General requirements.--Cyber charter schools shall be
25   subject to the following:
26            (1)   The following:
27                  * * *
28                  (xiv.1)    Section 743.
29                  * * *
30      Section 5.     This act shall take effect in 60 days.

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