Pennsylvania Senator introduces bills to address sudden cardiac arrest in schools

Pennsylvania (WHTM) — Penn State Senator Katie Muth says cardiac arrest can occur without symptoms or warning signs. Muth has introduced two bills that address sudden cardiac arrest, and she wants schools across the state to be ready.

Senate Bill 512 would require that every school building in the state have at least one automated external defibrillator (AED) placed in a central, accessible location. It will also require school districts to establish emergency action plans and certified emergency response teams.

Senate Bill 513 will require all sports team coaches and after-school activity supervisors to be CPR and AED certified.

According to Muth, Pennsylvania is one of the only states that does not mandate the use of AEDs on all school buildings. The invoice will help track which schools have AED.

“Nine years later, it’s become very clear that there are many gaps in data collection and reporting requirements, as there is unfortunately in every part of government. Data is scattered, and we’d like to streamline that to make sure reporting standards are better and there is accountability,” Muth explained. Actual if the school does not have an AED device.

The bill would also require that at least 10% of school staff in each building be members of an emergency response team, as well as be certified in CPR and AED training.