ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-seventh Legislature First Regular Session
	House: ED DPA 10-1-0-1 | APPROP DPA 18-0-0-0

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HB 2196: schools; AEDs; CPR training; requirements

Sponsor: Representative Willoughby, LD 13

House Engrossed

Overview

Establishes automated external defibrillator (AED) and training requirements for public high schools that sponsor an athletic team or sports program. Appropriates $500,000 from the state General Fund (GF) in FY 2026 for AED and training requirements.

History

An AED is a medical device heart monitor and defibrillator that is capable of determining, without intervention by an operator, if a controlled electrical charge to the heart should be performed to restore a viable cardiac rhythm. Unless otherwise exempted, a person who is a trained user of an AED has completed a state-approved course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an AED for the lay rescuer and first responder, including the course adopted by the American Heart Association in effect as of December 31, 1998 (A.R.S. § 36-2261).

Provisions

1. Requires, beginning August 1, 2026, each public school that provides instruction to students in the 9th-12th grades and that sponsors an athletic team or sports program to:

a) provide an AED that is maintained in good working order, tested according to manufacturer's guidelines and in an unlocked location that is:

i. clearly marked and easily accessible during the school day and at any school-sponsored athletic event;

ii. in a location where the AED may be retrieved and used in three minutes or less;

iii. in close proximity to each school-sponsored athletic event and venue at which a school-sponsored athletic event is held;

iv. consistent with nationally recognized emergency cardiovascular care guidelines; and

b) require each coach to complete a training course in CPR, first aid and the use of AEDs and that follows nationally recognized emergency cardiovascular guidelines. (Sec. 1)

2. Allows a school district or charter school to accept gifts, grants and donations for the prescribed AED and training requirements. (Sec. 1)

3. Appropriates $500,000 from the state GF in FY 2026 to the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) to implement the prescribed AED and training requirements. (Sec. 2)

4. Instructs ADE to distribute appropriated monies to any school that has a total ending cash balance of $5,000,000 or less according to the school's most recent annual financial report for:

a) purchasing and maintaining AEDs;

b) purchasing CPR training kits;

c) providing a training course for coaches that follows nationally recognized emergency cardiovascular care guidelines; and

d) purchasing other goods and services identified by ADE that are necessary for implementing the AED and training requirements. (Sec. 2)

5. Exempts the appropriation from lapsing until June 30, 2027. (Sec. 2)

6. Defines AED, school-sponsored athletic event and training. (Sec. 1)

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                        HB 2196

Initials CH     Page 0 House Engrossed

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