Pennsylvania SB 619: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in school health services, further providing for sudden cardiac arrest and electrocardiogram testing.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 630
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 619
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY MUTH, KANE, HUGHES, TARTAGLIONE, LAUGHLIN, COSTA,
FONTANA, SAVAL, CAPPELLETTI, HAYWOOD AND VOGEL,
APRIL 11, 2025
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, APRIL 11, 2025
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," in school health services, further
providing for sudden cardiac arrest and electrocardiogram
testing.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 1425(d) and (h) of the act of March 10,
1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949,
are amended and the section is amended by adding a subsection to
read:
Section 1425. Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Electrocardiogram
Testing.--* * *
(d) (1) Once each school year, a coach of an athletic
activity shall complete the sudden cardiac arrest training
course offered by a provider approved by the department.
(1.1) In accordance with clause (3), a coach of an athletic
activity shall be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and
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the use of an automated external defibrillator.
(2) A coach of an athletic activity shall not coach the
athletic activity until the coach completes the training
[course] courses required under this subsection.
(3) A coach shall a ttain and renew certifications for
cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated
external defibrillator every two (2) years through the American
Heart Association, the American Red Cross or an equivalent
course of instruction approved by the department. The school
entity shall keep a record of each certified coach under clause
(1.1) with the date certified, and renewed, if applicable, and
make the information available to the public at the school
entity.
(d.1) Once each school year, an employee of the school
entity who supervises a school-sponsored activity regardless of
whether the school-sponsored activity is during or after school,
shall:
(1) Complete the sudden cardiac arrest training course
offered by the American Heart Association, the American Red
Cross or through an equivalent course of instruction approved by
the department.
(2) Not supervise any school-sponsored activity until the
employee becomes certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and
the use of an automated external defibrillator.
(3) Attain and renew certifications every two (2) years
through the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross
or an equivalent course of instruction approved by the
department.
* * *
(h) As used in this section--
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"Athletic activity" means all of the following:
(1) Interscholastic athletics.
(2) An athletic contest or competition, other than
interscholastic athletics, that is sponsored by or associated
with a school entity, including cheerleading, club-sponsored
sports activities and sports activities sponsored by school-
affiliated organizations.
(3) Noncompetitive cheerleading that is sponsored by or
associated with a school entity.
(4) Practices, interschool practices and scrimmages for all
of the activities listed under clauses (1), (2) and (3).
"Automated external defibrillator" means the same as
"automatic external defibrillator" as defined in section
1423(l).
"Department" means the Department of Health of the
Commonwealth.
"Interscholastic athletics" means as defined in section 1602-
A.
"School entity" means as defined in section 1602-A.
"School-sponsored activity" means assemblies, graduation
ceremonies, athletics, extracurricular activities, clubs,
groups, teams or any activity sponsored, held or approved by the
school entity whether held during or outside of normal school
hours.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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