A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to require THE PLACEMENT OF AUTOMATIC EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS (AEDs) in all schools in public school units AND to provide TRAINING for SCHOOL PERSONNEL on the use of aeds and cpr.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 115C‑12 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(50)	Duty to Adopt Rules for Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs). – The State Board of Education shall adopt rules for the installation, use, and maintenance of AEDs in public school units. At a minimum, the rules shall include provisions for the following:
a.	Installation and placement of at least one AED in each school in a public school unit, placed in the school athletic facility or area.
b.	Implementation of an appropriate training course for public school personnel in the use of AEDs, including the role of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid.
c.	Proper maintenance and testing of the AEDs.
d.	Coordination with appropriate licensed professionals in the oversight of training on the AEDs.
e.	Coordination with local emergency medical systems regarding the placement of AEDs in school buildings."
SECTION 2.(a)  G.S. 115C‑47 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(70)	Use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs). – Local boards of education shall develop policies for the installation, maintenance, and use of AEDs in accordance with rules developed by the State Board of Education pursuant to G.S. 115C‑12(50)."
SECTION 2.(b)  G.S. 115C‑150.12C is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(37)	Use of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs). – The board of trustees shall develop policies for the installation, maintenance, and use of AEDs in accordance with rules developed by the State Board of Education pursuant to G.S. 115C‑12(50)."
SECTION 2.(c)  G.S. 115C‑218.75 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"(p)	Use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs). – Charter schools shall develop policies for the installation, maintenance, and use of AEDs in accordance with rules developed by the State Board of Education pursuant to G.S. 115C‑12(50)."
SECTION 2.(d)  G.S. 115C‑238.66 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(23)	Use of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs). – Regional schools shall develop policies for the installation, maintenance, and use of AEDs in accordance with rules developed by the State Board of Education pursuant to G.S. 115C‑12(50)."
SECTION 2.(e)  G.S. 116‑11 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(15)	The Board of Governors shall develop policies for all public secondary schools under the Board's jurisdiction for the installation, maintenance, and use of AEDs in accordance with rules developed by the State Board of Education pursuant to G.S. 115C‑12(50)."
SECTION 3.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction the sum of four million one hundred thousand dollars ($4,100,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2025‑2026 fiscal year to be allocated by the Superintendent of Public Instruction on a first‑come, first‑served basis to governing bodies of public school units in an amount sufficient to purchase and install one AED per school and train personnel on the proper use of the AED as required by this act.
SECTION 4.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2025, and applies beginning with the 2025‑2026 school year.