Senate Engrossed

public high schools; AEDs; requirements

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-seventh Legislature

First Regular Session

2025

SENATE BILL 1707

AN ACT

amending title 15, chapter 1, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 15-120.05; appropriating monies; relating to high schools.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 15, chapter 1, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 15-120.05, to read:

START_STATUTE15-120.05. High school sports; automatic external defibrillators; definitions

A. Notwithstanding title 36, chapter 21.1, article 3, beginning August 1, 2025, each public school in this state that provides instruction to students in any of grades nine through twelve and that sponsors an athletic team or sports program shall:

1. Provide an automated external defibrillator at each school campus and school-sponsored athletic event.

2. Ensure that each automated external defibrillator that is provided pursuant to paragraph 1 of this subsection is all of the following:

(a) in an unlocked location that is accessible both during the school day and at each school-sponsored athletic event.

(b) In a location from which the automated external defibrillator may be promptly retrieved and used at the school or school-sponsored athletic event.

(c) Maintained in good working order and tested according to the manufacturer's GUIDELINES.

B. A school district or charter school may accept gifts, grants, donations and in-kind donations for the purposes of this section, including to purchase and maintain automated external defibrillators.

C. For the purposes of this section:

1. "Automated external defibrillator" has the same meaning prescribed in section 36-2261.

2. "School-sponsored athletic event":

(a) Means an event that takes place on a school campus and that is related to a sport or other activity in which students participate as individuals or as members of a team.

(b) Includes scheduled practices, trainings and competitions. END_STATUTE

Sec. 2. Appropriation; department of education; exemption

A. The sum of $500,000 is appropriated from the state general fund in fiscal year 2025-2026 to the department of education for implementing section 15-120.05, Arizona Revised Statutes, as added by this act.

B. The department shall distribute monies appropriated pursuant to subsection A of this section to schools, prioritizing schools in which fifty percent or more of the students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches. A school may use the monies distributed pursuant to this subsection for either of the following:

1. Purchasing and maintaining automated external defibrillators as defined in section 36-2261, Arizona Revised Statutes.

2. Purchasing other goods and services identified by the department of education that are necessary for implementing section 15-120.05, Arizona Revised Statutes, as added by this act.

C. The appropriation made in subsection A of this section is exempt from the provisions of section 35-190, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to lapsing of appropriations, until June 30, 2027.

Sec. 3. Emergency

This act is an emergency measure that is necessary to preserve the public peace, health or safety and is operative immediately as provided by law.