                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

CARDIAC EMERGENCY RESPONSE OR EMERGENCY ACTION PLANS REQUIRED (§ 22.1-271.9)

A. As used in this section:
			&#8220;Athletic emergency action plan&#8221; or &#8220;athletic EAP&#8221;
means an emergency action plan that establishes and details emergency management
and response preparations, strategies, and guidelines specifically for
emergencies that occur in an athletic setting, including sports-related health
emergencies and physical injuries that occur in the course of participating in
athletic practices, games, competition, or other events.
			&#8220;Automated External Defibrillator&#8221; or &#8220;AED&#8221; means a
lightweight, portable device that delivers an electric shock through the chest
to the heart for the purpose of potentially stopping an irregular heartbeat or
arrhythmia and allowing a normal heartbeat rhythm to resume following sudden
cardiac arrest.
			&#8220;Cardiac emergency response plan&#8221; or &#8220;CERP&#8221; means a
written document that establishes the specific steps to reduce death from sudden
cardiac arrest that occurs on school grounds.
			&#8220;CPR&#8221; means cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
			&#8220;High-need school&#8221; means any public elementary or secondary
school (i) at which at least 50 percent of children are eligible to receive free
and reduced-price meals; (ii) that participates in the federal Community
Eligibility Provision or any federal, state, or local universal free meals
program; or (iii) that is classified as a Title I school pursuant to Title I,
Part A of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, P.L.
89-10, as amended.
			&#8220;Sudden cardiac arrest&#8221; means a condition whereby the heart
unexpectedly malfunctions and stops beating and that is likely to lead to death
if not treated within minutes.

B. Each public elementary or secondary school shall develop and implement a
cardiac emergency response plan or an athletic emergency action plan that
addresses the appropriate use of school personnel to respond to incidents
involving an individual who is experiencing sudden cardiac arrest or a similar
life-threatening emergency (i) while on school grounds and (ii) in the event
that such school has an athletic department or organized athletic program, while
attending or participating in an athletic practice or event sponsored by such
school or conducted as a part of such school&#8217;s athletic department or
organized athletic program. Any public elementary or secondary school that has
an athletic department or organized athletic program shall at all times have
either a CERP or athletic EAP in place. Each such CERP or athletic EAP shall
integrate nationally recognized evidence-based core elements and nationally
recognized evidence-based guidelines and shall integrate provisions and
guidelines, consistent with relevant law, relating to:

   1. Establishing a cardiac emergency response team;

   2. Activating such team in response to a sudden cardiac event;

   3. Integrating the CERP or athletic EAP into the local community&#8217;s
   emergency medical services response protocols in accordance with subsection C;

   4. Practicing at least annually responses to sudden cardiac arrest on school
   grounds through the use of drills;

   5. Placing and routinely maintaining AEDs in the school building in accordance
   with nationally recognized evidence-based guidelines;

   6. Placing clearly marked and easily accessible AEDs at each venue where
   school-sponsored athletic practices or competitions are held;

   7. Determining, in accordance with guidelines set by the American Heart
   Association or other organization focused on emergency cardiovascular care,
   the placement of any AED in a school building or venue pursuant to
   subdivisions 5 and 6 and ensuring that any such AED is identified with
   appropriate signage and is on-site or made available in an unlocked location
   on school property in a manner such that the AED can be accessed and placed on
   an individual experiencing sudden cardiac arrest or a similar life-threatening
   emergency within three minutes;

   8. Ensuring training in first aid, CPR, and the use of AEDs by appropriate
   staff, including school nurses, athletic trainers, and coaches, that follows
   evidence-based guidelines set forth by the American Heart Association or
   nationally recognized guidelines focused on emergency cardiovascular care;

   9. Disseminating the CERP or athletic EAP to appropriate individuals
   throughout the school community; and

   10. Reviewing, evaluating, and, as necessary, amending the CERP or athletic
   EAP on an ongoing and annual basis.

C. Public elementary or secondary school officials shall work directly with
local emergency service providers to integrate the CERP or athletic EAP into the
local community&#8217;s emergency medical services response protocols.

HISTORY: 2025, cc. 372, 382.