AEDs and CPR in Public Schools.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
H 2
HOUSE BILL 886
Second Edition Engrossed 5/7/25

Short Title: AEDs and CPR in Public Schools. (Public)
Sponsors: Representatives Gable, Almond, Schietzelt, and Chesser (Primary Sponsors).
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
Referred to: Appropriations, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
April 14, 2025
*H886-v-2*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT TO REQUIRE TH E PLACEMENT OF AUTOM ATIC EXTERNAL 2
DEFIBRILLATORS (AEDS) IN ALL SCHOOLS IN PUBLIC SCHOOL UNITS AND TO 3
PROVIDE TRAINING FOR SCHOOL PERSONNEL ON THE USE OF AEDS AND CPR. 4
Whereas, the critical importance of having an AED in the building and the quick 5
action of those who are trained to use it was demonstrated in our NC General Assembly building 6
on April 2, 2009; and 7
Whereas, on that date the life of our member, Rep. Becky Carney, was saved because 8
there was access to an AED and there were personnel trained to administer it; Now, therefore, 9
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 10
SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as "The Rep. Becky Carney Cardiac Arrest Act." 11
SECTION 1.5. G.S. 115C-12 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read: 12
"(50) Duty to Adopt Rules for Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs). – The 13
State Board of Education shall adopt rules for the installation, use, and 14
maintenance of AEDs in public school units. At a minimum, the rules shall 15
include provisions for the following: 16
a. Installation and placement of at least one AED in each sch ool in a 17
public school unit, placed in the school athletic facility or area. 18
b. Implementation of an appropriate training course for public school 19
personnel in the use of AEDs, including the role of cardiopulmonary 20
resuscitation (CPR) and first aid. 21
c. Proper maintenance and testing of the AEDs. 22
d. Coordination with appropriate licensed professionals in the oversight 23
of training on the AEDs. 24
e. Coordination with local emergency medical systems regarding the 25
placement of AEDs in school buildings." 26
SECTION 2.(a) G.S. 115C-47 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read: 27
"(70) Use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs). – Local boards of education 28
shall develop policies for the installation , maintenance, and use of AEDs in 29
accordance with rules developed by the State Board of Education pursuant to 30
G.S. 115C-12(50)." 31
SECTION 2.(b) G.S. 115C-150.12C is amended by adding a new subdivision to 32
read: 33
"(37) Use of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs). – The board of trustees shall 34
develop policies for the installation , maintenance, and use of AEDs in 35
General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 2 House Bill 886-Second Edition
accordance with rules developed by the State Board of Education pursuant to 1
G.S. 115C-12(50)." 2
SECTION 2.(c) G.S. 115C-218.75 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: 3
"(p) Use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs). – Charter schools shall develop 4
policies for the installation, maintenance, and use of AEDs in accordance with rules developed 5
by the State Board of Education pursuant to G.S. 115C-12(50)." 6
SECTION 2.(d) G.S. 115C-238.66 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read: 7
"(23) Use of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs). – Regional schools shall 8
develop policies for the installation, maintenance, and use of AEDs in 9
accordance with rules developed by the State Board of Education pursuant to 10
G.S. 115C-12(50)." 11
SECTION 2.(e) G.S. 116-11 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read: 12
"(15) The Board of Governors shall develop policies for all public secondary 13
schools under the Board 's jurisdiction for the installation, maintenance, and 14
use of AEDs in accordance with rules developed by the State Board of 15
Education pursuant to G.S. 115C-12(50)." 16
SECTION 3. The State Board of Education may adopt emergency rules in 17
accordance with G.S. 150B-21.1A to implement this act for the 2025-2026 school year. 18
SECTION 4. This act is effective when it becomes law and applies beginning with 19
the 2025-2026 school year. 20