AN ACT to require THE PLACEMENT OF AUTOMATIC EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS (AEDs) in schools 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 two AEDs in each school in a public school unit, with one AED being placed in a location identified by the State Board and one being 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 automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) in accordance with rules developed by the State Board of Education pursuant to G.S. 115C‑12(50).

SECTION 2.(f)  G.S. 115C‑562.5(a) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:

(7a)    For any school facility in which students attend in‑person classes, install and maintain two automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) and provide training to school staff on the proper use of AEDs. Schools are encouraged but not required to use rules issued by the State Board of Education pursuant to G.S. 115C‑12(50) to guide the school's policy on the installation location of the AEDs and staff training.

SECTION 3.(a)  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction the sum of nine million two hundred thousand dollars ($9,200,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2025‑2026 fiscal year to be allocated by the Superintendent of Public Instruction to the governing body of each public school unit in the amount of four thousand dollars ($4,000) per school in the public school unit for the purchase and installation of two AEDs per school and training personnel on the proper use of the AEDs as required by this act.

SECTION 3.(b)  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina the sum of two million eight hundred thousand dollars ($2,800,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2025‑2026 fiscal year to be allocated to the State Education Assistance Authority to be distributed to all nonpublic schools that accept eligible students receiving scholarship grants in the amount of four thousand dollars ($4,000) per school for the purchase and installation of two AEDs per school and training personnel on the proper use of AEDs as required by this act.

SECTION 4.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2025, and applies beginning with the 2025‑2026 school year.