Pennsylvania HB 1943: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, in Commonwealth budget procedures, providing for definitions and further providing for budget implementation data, for electronic access of information and for lapsing of funds.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 2452
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1943
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY SCOTT, PROBST, GUENST, RIVERA, HILL-EVANS, KUZMA,
FRANKEL AND SANCHEZ, OCTOBER 14, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, OCTOBER 16, 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 automatic external defibrillators, providing
for automated external defibrillators and training, further
providing for sudden cardiac arrest and electrocardiogram
testing and providing for electrocardiogram testing for
interscholastic athletics; and, in terms and courses of
study, further providing for cardiopulmonary resuscitation
education.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 1423 of the act of March 10, 1949
(P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, is
amended to read:
Section 1423. [Automatic] Automated External
Defibrillators.--(a) The department shall establish an
[automatic] automated external defibrillator program to assist
school entities and nonpublic schools in making [automatic]
automated external defibrillators available in school buildings.
(b) On a biennial basis, the department, in consultation
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with the Department of General Services and the Department of
Health, shall issue an invitation to bid for the cost of
[automatic] automated external defibrillators and other
equipment and supplies necessary for the proper operation of the
device. The department shall accept the bid of the lowest
responsible bidder and permit any school entity or nonpublic
school to purchase the devices at the contract bid price. The
department may purchase [automatic] automated external
defibrillators from any funds appropriated pursuant to
subsection (k) for distribution to school entities and nonpublic
schools.
(c) To be eligible to obtain or purchase [automatic]
automated external defibrillators under the program a school
entity or nonpublic school must:
(1) Assure that two (2) or more persons assigned to the
location where the [automatic] automated external defibrillator
will be primarily housed are trained as required in subsection
(d).
(2) Ensure that the device will be secured in a safe and
readily accessible location and agree to properly maintain and
test the device according to the manufacturer's operational
guidelines.
[(3) Submit a valid prescription for the device from a
licensed medical practitioner in this Commonwealth.]
(4) Agree to provide the training required by subsection
(d).
(d) School personnel who are expected to use the [automatic]
automated external defibrillator shall complete training in
cardiopulmonary resuscitation and in the use of an [automatic]
automated external defibrillator provided by the American Heart
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Association, the American Red Cross or through an equivalent
course of instruction approved by the Department of Health.
(e) A school entity may include the training required by
subsection (d) in its continuing professional education plan
submitted to the department under section 1205.1.
(f) The provisions of 42 Pa.C.S. § 8331.2 (relating to good
Samaritan civil immunity for use of [automatic] automated
external defibrillator) shall apply to school employes who
render care with an [automatic] automated external
defibrillator.
(g) From funds appropriated for this purpose or from other
funds available, the department may assist school entities and
nonpublic schools that are not equipped with [automatic]
automated external defibrillators by providing a discount from
the contract bid price obtained under subsection (b) or by
providing [automatic] automated external defibrillators obtained
under subsection (b).
(g.1) The purchase of an [automatic] automated external
defibrillator shall be considered an allowable use of
Pennsylvania Accountability Grants under section 2599.2(b).
(g.2) The purchase of [automatic] automated external
defibrillators shall be considered an innovative educational
program under Article XVII-F of the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6,
No.2), known as the "Tax Reform Code of 1971."
(h) (Reserved).
(i) Not later than June 30, 2014, and each year thereafter,
each school entity shall make a report to the department
detailing the number, condition, age and placement of
[automatic] automated external defibrillators in each school
building. After the initial report is made, a school entity may
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report this information as part of the annual report required by
the Commonwea