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HSB 719

A bill for an act establishing the school health-related emergency response plan competitive grant program within the department of education, making appropriations, and including applicability provisions.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Establishes a state grant program and requirements for comprehensive cardiac emergency response plans in Iowa schools, including AED placement, training, drills, and EMS coordinati

Subcommittee recommends passage.
#education #emergencymanagement #grants #schools #students
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Bill Summary · HSB 719

Summary of Bill HSB 719 (Iowa) – 2025-2026 Session

Purpose and Intent

  • Establishes a competitive grant program within the Iowa Department of Education to support school health-related emergency response planning.
  • Aims to enhance preparedness for cardiac and other life-threatening emergencies in schools, including during school hours, extracurricular activities, athletic events, and school-sponsored activities.

Key Provisions and Changes

Cardiac Emergency Response Plan Requirements

  • Schools must implement a comprehensive cardiac emergency response plan (CERP).
  • The plan must be distributed to all attendance centers within the school system.
  • Ongoing evaluation and revision of the CERP are required at least annually.

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)

  • AEDs must be identified and properly signposted on school property.
  • Routine maintenance of AEDs must be performed in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines.
  • Information about AEDs (type and exact location) must be provided to emergency medical services (EMS) providers.

Training and Certification

  • Ongoing training and certification in:
    • First aid
    • Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
    • Use of AEDs
  • Training is required for coaches, school nurses, athletic trainers, and, when appropriate, other employees or contractors.

Drills and Exercises

  • Annual drills to practice the execution of the cardiac emergency response plan.

Coordination with EMS

  • Local EMS providers must be contacted in the event of cardiac arrest or similar life-threatening emergencies occurring on school property or during related activities (physical education, extracurricular athletic activities, practices, or school-sponsored activities).

Administrative and Oversight Provisions

  • The bill emphasizes ongoing review and evaluation of the cardiac emergency response plan on an annual basis.
  • Includes the creation of an Athletic Emergency Action Plan as part of the overall emergency preparedness framework.

Who/What is Affected

  • Public and private K-12 schools (as applicable under Iowa law) that run attendance centers, athletic programs, and extracurricular activities.
  • School staff and contractors involved in athletics, coaching, nursing, athletic training, and other personnel responsible for student safety.
  • Local emergency medical services providers who may be called to respond to cardiac events on school property or at school-related activities.
  • The Iowa Department of Education, which would administer the competitive grant program and oversee implementation standards.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Subcommittee Process:
    • Subcommittee met and recommended passage as of February 17, 2026.
    • Subcommittee composition was adjusted (members reassigned) prior to passage.
  • Status: Introduced and referred to the House Education committee on February 10, 2026; subcommittee review completed with a favorable recommendation in mid-February 2026.
  • Next steps: If advanced, the bill would move to full House consideration and then to the Senate, where similar actions would occur, followed by potential gubernatorial signature.

Potential Impact

  • Improved readiness to respond to cardiac emergencies in school settings, potentially reducing time-to-defibrillation and improving student survival rates.
  • Standardization of AED placement, maintenance, and EMS communication across Iowa schools.
  • Enhanced training for school personnel involved in athletics and student health, contributing to safer sports and school environments.
  • Creation of a state-level grant program could provide funding to implement plans, purchase AEDs, and support training and drills.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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