HB 191 — An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in certification of teachers, repealing provisions relating to CPR instruction; and, in school health services, repealing provisions relating to automatic external defibrillators and providing for AED and CPR instruction and procedure, for Automated External Defibrillator Program and for availability and specifications of automated external defibrillators.

PRINTER'S NO.   138

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 191
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY BRENNAN, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, PROBST, KHAN, KUZMA,
        SANCHEZ, PIELLI, GUENST, HANBIDGE, BOROWSKI, GIRAL, HILL-
        EVANS, HOWARD, DONAHUE, HADDOCK, WARREN, CIRESI, FREEMAN,
        FLEMING, OTTEN, HOHENSTEIN, KENYATTA AND DEASY,
        JANUARY 16, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, JANUARY 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 certification of teachers,
 6      repealing provisions relating to CPR instruction; and, in
 7      school health services, repealing provisions relating to
 8      automatic external defibrillators and providing for AED and
 9      CPR instruction and procedure, for Automated External
10      Defibrillator Program and for availability and specifications
11      of automated external defibrillators.
12      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
13   hereby enacts as follows:
14      Section 1.    Sections 1205.4 and 1423 of the act of March 10,
15   1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949,
16   are repealed:
17      [Section 1205.4.    CPR Instruction.--(a)   School entities
18   shall be required to offer a cardiopulmonary resuscitation
19   training (CPR) class on school premises at least once every
20   three years. The course shall be offered as an option to all
21   employes of the school entity.
 1      (b)    Completion of training, including testing of skills and
 2   knowledge, shall be documented by the signature and title of a
 3   representative of the training entity and shall include the date
 4   training was completed. Documentation shall be retained in the
 5   facility in that employe's file. Training shall be conducted by:
 6      (1)    the American Red Cross;
 7      (2)    the American Heart Association;
 8      (3)    an individual certified to conduct CPR training by the
 9   American Red Cross, American Heart Association or other
10   certifying agency approved by the Department of Health; or
11      (4)    other certifying agency approved by the Department of
12   Health.
13      (c)    School districts may include this training in the
14   continuing education plan submitted by the district to the
15   Department of Education under section 1205.1.
16      (d)    For purposes of this section, a school entity shall be
17   defined as a local school district, intermediate unit or area
18   career and technical school.
19      Section 1423.   Automatic External Defibrillators.--(a)    The
20   department shall establish an automatic external defibrillator
21   program to assist school entities and nonpublic schools in
22   making automatic external defibrillators available in school
23   buildings.
24      (b)    On a biennial basis, the department, in consultation
25   with the Department of General Services and the Department of
26   Health, shall issue an invitation to bid for the cost of
27   automatic external defibrillators and other equipment and
28   supplies necessary for the proper operation of the device. The
29   department shall accept the bid of the lowest responsible bidder
30   and permit any school entity or nonpublic school to purchase the

20250HB0191PN0138                   - 2 -
 1   devices at the contract bid price. The department may purchase
 2   automatic external defibrillators from any funds appropriated
 3   pursuant to subsection (k) for distribution to school entities
 4   and nonpublic schools.
 5      (c)   To be eligible to obtain or purchase automatic external
 6   defibrillators under the program a school entity or nonpublic
 7   school must:
 8      (1)   Assure that two (2) or more persons assigned to the
 9   location where the automatic external defibrillator will be
10   primarily housed are trained as required in subsection (d).
11      (2)   Ensure that the device will be secured in a safe and
12   readily accessible location and agree to properly maintain and
13   test the device according to the manufacturer's operational
14   guidelines.
15      (3)   Submit a valid prescription for the device from a
16   licensed medical practitioner in this Commonwealth.
17      (4)   Agree to provide the training required by subsection
18   (d).
19      (d)   School personnel who are expected to use the automatic
20   external defibrillator shall complete training in
21   cardiopulmonary resuscitation and in the use of an automatic
22   external defibrillator provided by the American Heart
23   Association, the American Red Cross or through an equivalent
24   course of instruction approved by the Department of Health.
25      (e)   A school entity may include the training required by
26   subsection (d) in its continuing professional education plan
27   submitted to the department under section 1205.1.
28      (f)   The provisions of 42 Pa.C.S. § 8331.2 (relating to good
29   Samaritan civil immunity for use of automated external
30   defibrillator) shall apply to school employes who render care

20250HB0191PN0138                  - 3 -
 1   with an automatic external defibrillator.
 2      (g)   From funds appropriated for this purpose, the department
 3   may assist school entities and nonpublic schools that are not
 4   equipped with automatic external defibrillators by providing a
 5   discount from the contract bid price obtained under subsection
 6   (b) or by providing automatic external defibrillators obtained
 7   under subsection (b).
 8      (g.1)   The purchase of an automatic external defibrillator
 9   shall be considered an allowable use of Pennsylvania
10   Accountability Grants under section 2599.2(b).
11      (g.2)   The purchase of automatic external defibrillators
12   shall be considered an innovative educational program under
13   Article XVII-F of the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known
14   as the "Tax Reform Code of 1971."
15      (h)   (Reserved).
16      (i)   Not later than June 30, 2014, and each year thereafter,
17   each school entity shall make a report to the department
18   detailing the number, condition, age and placement of automatic
19   external defibrillators in each school building. After the
20   initial report is made, a school entity may report this
21   information as part of the annual report required by the
22   Commonwealth under section 2505.1 to receive State reimbursement
23   for health services.
24      (i.1)   A nonpublic school that participates in the automatic
25   external defibrillator program under subsection (b) or (g) shall
26   be subject to the reporting required under subsection (i).
27      (i.2)   The department shall annually publish a report on its
28   publicly accessible Internet website no later than December 31,
29   2014, and each year thereafter. The report shall contain the
30   following information:

20250HB0191PN0138                  - 4 -
 1      (1)   The total number of automatic external defibrillators by
 2   school entity and nonpublic school.
 3      (2)   The number of school buildings by school entity and
 4   nonpublic school that are equipped with automatic external
 5   defibrillators.
 6      (3)   The number of school buildings by school entity and
 7   nonpublic school that are not equipped with automatic external
 8   defibrillators.
 9      (j)   The department may adopt guidelines as necessary to
10   administer this section.
11      (k)   The General Assembly may appropriate funds to carry out
12   the provisions of this section.
13      (l)   As used in this section--
14      "Automatic external defibrillator" means a portable device
15   that uses electric shock to restore a stable heart rhythm to an
16   individual in cardiac arrest.
17      "Department" means the Department of Education of the
18   Commonwealth.
19      "Nonpublic school" means a nonprofit school, other than a
20   public school within this Commonwealth, wherein a resident of
21   this Commonwealth may legally fulfill the compulsory school
22   attendance requirements of this act and which meets the
23   applicable requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of
24   1964 (Public Law 88-352, 78 Stat. 241).
25      "School building" means a building owned by or under the
26   control of a school entity or nonpublic school where classes are
27   taught or extracurricular activities are conducted on a regular
28   basis.
29      "School entity" means an area career and technical school, a
30   charter school, a cyber charter school, an intermediate unit or

20250HB0191PN0138                    - 5 -
 1   a school district.
 2      "Secretary" means the Secretary of Education of the
 3   Commonwealth.]
 4      Section 2.    The act is amended by adding sections to read:
 5      Section 1423.1.    AED and CPR Instruction and Procedure.--(a)
 6   Each school entity shall make available to the school entity's
 7   employes and volunteers instruction in the principles and
 8   techniques of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an
 9   automated external defibrillator on school premises at least
10   once every two years, to which the following shall apply:
11      (1)    The instruction shall be offered as an option to all
12   school entity employes and volunteers.
13      (2)    The instruction shall be conducted by any of the
14   following:
15      (i)    The American Red Cross.
16      (ii)    The American Heart Association.
17      (iii)     An individual certified to conduct CPR training by the
18   American Red Cross, American Heart Association or other
19   certifying agency approved by the Department of Health.
20      (iv)    Another certifying agency approved by the Department of
21   Health.
22      (3)    A school entity, nonpublic school or private school, as
23   applicable, may provide the instruction under this section
24   through the Internet or other electronic means.
25      (b)    The following apply to AED and CPR instruction:
26      (1)    Each school entity shall ensure that at least one (1)
27   individual trained and certified in the use of an AED and CPR is
28   present in each school building during each school day.
29      (2)    Each school nurse or designee, coach of an athletic
30   activity, marching band director, physical education teacher,

20250HB0191PN0138                    - 6 -
 1   athletic trainer and athletic training student aide within each
 2   school entity must participate in the instruction in the use of
 3   an AED and CPR.
 4      (3)     An individual described in this subsection must complete
 5   the instruction and maintain certification in the use of an AED
 6   in accordance with this section.
 7      (c)     The following apply to continuing education
 8   requirements:
 9      (1)     A school entity may include the instruction under this
10   section in the continuing education plan submitted by the
11   district to the department under section 1205.1.
12      (2)     Satisfying the instruction requirements of this section
13   shall also satisfy the training requirements under section
14   1425(d).
15      (d)     Completion of instruction under subsections (a) and (b),
16   including the testing of skills and knowledge, shall be
17   documented by the signature and title of a representative of the
18   training entity and shall include the date that the instruction
19   was completed. The documentation shall be retained by the school
20   entity in the file of the employe or volunteer that completed
21   the training.
22      (e)     The following apply to a cardiac emergency response
23   plan:
24      (1)     Each school entity, nonpublic school or private school
25   shall develop or amend an existing cardiac emergency response
26   plan for schools and school athletic activities that includes:
27      (i)     Nationally recognized evidence-based core elements or
28   standards.
29      (ii)    An annual review.
30      (iii)     Safety procedures to follow in response to a medical

20250HB0191PN0138                    - 7 -
 1   emergency involving cardiac arrest and the use of an AED.
 2      (iv)    The placement of AEDs on school premises.
 3      (2)    The cardiac emergency response plan of each school
 4   entity, nonpublic school or private school shall:
 5      (i)    Make available cardiac awareness information to school
 6   employes and those responsible for extracurricular activities of
 7   the school entity.
 8      (ii)    Require conducting annual sudden cardiac arrest drills
 9   with or without the participation of students to test the
10   cardiac emergency response plan in response to a sudden cardiac
11   arrest.
12      (f)    As used in this section, the following words and phrases
13   shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless
14   the context clearly indicates otherwise:
15      "Athletic activity" means as defined in section 1425(h).
16      "Automated external defibrillator" or "AED" means a portable
17   device that uses electric shock to restore a stable heart rhythm
18   to an individual in cardiac arrest.
19      "CPR" means cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
20      "Department" means the Department of Education of the
21   Commonwealth.
22      "Nonpublic school" means a nonprofit school, other than a
23   public school within this Commonwealth, wherein a resident of
24   this Commonwealth may legally fulfill the compulsory school
25   attendance requirements of this act and which meets the
26   applicable requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of
27   1964 (Public Law 88-352, 78 Stat. 241).
28      "Private school" means a school licensed under the act of
29   December 15, 1986 (P.L.1585, No.174), known as the Private
30   Licensed Schools Act.

20250HB0191PN0138                   - 8 -
 1         "School building" means a building owned by or under the
 2   control of a school entity, nonpublic school or private school
 3   where classes are taught or extracurricular activities are
 4   conducted on a regular basis.
 5         "School day" means the length of time that a child subject to
 6   compulsory school attendance is expected to be receiving
 7   instruction during a calendar day as determined by the governing
 8   body.
 9         "School entity" means a school district, charter school,
10   regional charter school, cyber charter school, intermediate unit
11   or area career and technical school.
12         "Volunteer" means an individual who holds an unpaid position
13   with a school entity as a volunteer for a program, activity or
14   service and is responsible for the welfare of children or has
15   direct volunteer contact.
16         Section 1423.2.   Automated External Defibrillator Program.--
17   (a)    The department shall establish the Automated External
18   Defibrillator Program to assist school entities, nonpublic
19   schools and private schools in making AEDs available in school
20   buildings.
21         (b)   On a biennial basis, the department, in consultation
22   with the Department of General Services and the Department of
23   Health, shall issue an invitation to bid for the cost of AEDs
24   and other equipment and supplies necessary for the proper
25   operation of the device. The department shall accept the bid of
26   the lowest responsible bidder and permit any school entity,
27   nonpublic school or private school to purchase the devices at
28   the contract bid price. The department may purchase AEDs from
29   any money appropriated in accordance with subsection (k) for
30   distribution to school entities, nonpublic schools or private

20250HB0191PN0138                     - 9 -
 1   schools.
 2      (c)     To be eligible to obtain or purchase AEDs under the
 3   program, a school entity, nonpublic school or private school
 4   must:
 5      (1)     Comply with the provisions of section 1423.1.
 6      (2)     Ensure that the AED will be secured in a safe and
 7   readily accessible location and agree to properly maintain and
 8   test the device according to the manufacturer's operational
 9   guidelines.
10      (3)     Submit a valid prescription for the device from a
11   licensed medical practitioner in this Commonwealth.
12      (d)     The provisions of 42 Pa.C.S. § 8331.2 (relating to good
13   Samaritan civil immunity for use of automated external
14   defibrillator) shall apply to school entity, nonpublic school or
15   private school employes who render care with an AED.
16      (e)     From money appropriated for the purposes under this
17   section, the department may assist school entities, nonpublic
18   schools and private schools that are not equipped with AEDs by
19   providing a discount from the contract bid price obtained under
20   subsection (b) or by providing AEDs obtained under subsection
21   (b).
22      (f)     The purchase of AEDs shall be considered an allowable
23   use of Pennsylvania Accountability Grants under section
24   2599.2(b).
25      (g)     The purchase of AEDs shall be considered an innovative
26   educational program under Article XX-B.
27      (h)     The purchase of AEDs shall be considered an eligible
28   school safety and security expense in section 1306-B(j).
29      (i)     The department may accept donations, including donations
30   of equipment, for use in providing CPR and AED instruction to

20250HB0191PN0138                    - 10 -
 1   students, employes and volunteers at school entities, nonpublic
 2   schools and private schools. The following apply:
 3      (1)    The department shall geographically distribute any
 4   donations to school entities, nonpublic schools and private
 5   schools for the purpose of CPR and AED instruction under section
 6   1423.1.
 7      (2)    A school entity, nonpublic school or private school may
 8   accept from the department donations received under this
 9   subsection for use in providing instruction to students, school
10   employes and volunteers in the principles and techniques of CPR
11   and operating an AED. A school entity, nonpublic school or
12   private school may accept other donations, including donations
13   of equipment, for use in providing the instruction.
14      (3)    To the extent that resources are available to a school
15   entity, nonpublic school or private school under this section,
16   the school entity, nonpublic school or private school may make
17   available instruction to students in the principles and
18   techniques of CPR and operating an AED.
19      (4)    A school entity, nonpublic school or private school may
20   use resources other than those made available under this section
21   to make available instruction to students, school employes and
22   volunteers in the principles and techniques of CPR and operating
23   an AED.
24      (j)    The department may adopt guidelines as necessary to
25   administer this section.
26      (k)    The General Assembly may appropriate money to carry out
27   the provisions of this section.
28      (l)    As used in this section, the following words and phrases
29   shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless
30   the context clearly indicates otherwise:

20250HB0191PN0138                   - 11 -
 1      "Automated external defibrillator" or "AED" means as defined
 2   in section 1423.1.
 3      "CPR" means cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
 4      "Department" means as defined in section 1423.1.
 5      "Nonpublic school" means as defined in section 1423.1.
 6      "Private school" means as defined in section 1423.1.
 7      "Program" means the Automated External Defibrillator Program
 8   established under this section.
 9      "School building" means a building owned by or under the
10   control of a school entity, nonpublic school or private school
11   where classes are taught or extracurricular activities are
12   conducted on a regular basis.
13      "School entity" means as defined in section 1423.1.
14      Section 1423.3.   Availability and Specifications of Automated
15   External Defibrillators.--(a)     Each school entity, nonpublic
16   school and private school shall have at least one automated
17   external defibrillator in each school building of the school
18   entity, nonpublic school or private school at all times during
19   the school day.
20      (b)   Each school entity, nonpublic school or private school
21   shall make available an AED and at least one employe of the
22   school entity, nonpublic school or private school who is trained
23   and certified under section 1423.1 at each athletic activity.
24   The presence of emergency services personnel shall fulfill this
25   requirement.
26      (c)   The Department of Education, in consultation with the
27   Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, shall develop
28   guidelines for the availability of AEDs at athletic activities
29   which shall specify that an AED need not be physically present
30   in the immediate vicinity of every ongoing athletic activity,

20250HB0191PN0138                    - 12 -
 1   but must be readily available and accessible at the location of
 2   the athletic activity.
 3        (d)   This section does not:
 4        (1)   waive any liability or immunity of a school entity,
 5   nonpublic school or private school or its officers or employes;
 6   or
 7        (2)   create any liability for or a cause of action against a
 8   school entity, nonpublic school or private school or its
 9   officers or employes.
10        (e)   The provisions of 42 Pa.C.S. § 8331.2 (relating to good
11   Samaritan civil immunity for use of automated external
12   defibrillator) shall apply to school entity, nonpublic school or
13   private school employes who render care with an AED.
14        (f)   Each school entity, nonpublic school and private school
15   shall ensure that each AED on the premises of the school entity,
16   nonpublic school or private school is properly tested and
17   maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's operational
18   guidelines. Each AED in a school entity, nonpublic school or
19   private school shall meet the most recent minimum specifications
20   as required by the Department of Health.
21        (g)   As used in this section, the following words and phrases
22   shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless
23   the context clearly indicates otherwise:
24        "Athletic activity" means as defined in section 1425(h).
25        "Automated external defibrillator" or "AED" means as defined
26   in section 1423.1.
27        "Emergency services personnel" means any of the following:
28        (1)   An emergency medical responder.
29        (2)   An emergency medical technician.
30        (3)   An advanced emergency medical technician.

20250HB0191PN0138                    - 13 -
 1      (4)   A paramedic.
 2      (5)   A prehospital registered nurse.
 3      (6)   A prehospital physician extender.
 4      (7)   A prehospital emergency medical services physician.
 5      (8)   An individual prescribed by regulations of the
 6   Department of Health to provide specialized emergency medical
 7   services.
 8      "Nonpublic school" means as defined in section 1423.1.
 9      "Private school" means as defined in section 1423.1.
10      "School building" means as defined in section 1423.1.
11      "School day" means as defined in section 1423.1.
12      "School entity" means as defined in section 1423.1.
13      Section 3.   School entities, nonpublic schools and private
14   schools shall comply with the addition of sections 1423.1,
15   1423.2 and 1423.3 of the act no later than three years after the
16   effective date of this section.
17      Section 4.   This act shall take effect immediately.




20250HB0191PN0138                  - 14 -