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SB 278

An Act amending the act of December 12, 1986 (P.L.1559, No.169), known as the Whistleblower Law, further providing for definitions.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Rosemary Brown and 2 co-sponsors

NC SB 278 requires schools to adopt CERPs, place at least one AED per school with staff training and drills, funded by a $2M one-time appropriation.

Referred to Labor & Industry
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Bill Summary · SB 278

SB 278 — "The Smart Heart Act" (North Carolina)

Status: Passed 1st Reading
Introduced: February 4, 2025
Effective date: July 1, 2025 (applies beginning with the 2025–2026 school year)

Purpose / Intent

The Smart Heart Act requires public schools to prepare for cardiac emergencies by (1) developing a school‑ or district‑level Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP) that integrates evidence‑based core elements, and (2) ensuring each public school has at least one Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) available and staff trained to use it. The aim is to improve school readiness for sudden cardiac arrest and related life‑threatening events.

Key provisions

  • Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs)

    • Each public school unit (local boards, charter schools, regional schools, and applicable public institutions) must develop a CERP.
    • CERPs must incorporate evidence‑based core elements (e.g., American Heart Association guidance) and include at minimum:
    • Establishment of a cardiac emergency response team.
    • Procedures for activating the response team.
    • Identification of staff to receive annual CPR and AED training (at minimum: school nurses and faculty supervising student athletics).
    • Annual practice drills for the response team.
    • Integration and coordination with local emergency medical services (EMS).
    • CERPs must be reviewed and updated annually.
    • Schools must work with local EMS to align CERPs with community responder protocols.

  • AED installation, maintenance and training (State Board rulemaking required)

    • State Board of Education to adopt rules governing AED installation, use, and maintenance.
    • Minimum AED requirements include:
    • At least one AED per school.
    • AEDs to be located in unlocked, clearly signed locations and placed such that an AED can be brought to a victim within three minutes.
    • Required training for school personnel in AED use, CPR, and first aid; maintenance and testing protocols; and oversight of training by appropriate licensed professionals.

Who is affected

  • Local school units (districts), charter schools, regional schools, and public secondary schools under the Board of Governors — required to adopt CERPs and ensure AED placement.
  • School personnel (nurses, athletic supervisors, identified staff) — subject to annual training and drill participation.
  • State Board of Education and Department of Public Instruction (DPI) — rulemaking, oversight, and distribution of funds.
  • Local EMS providers — expected to coordinate response protocols with schools.
  • Students and school visitors — intended beneficiaries through improved emergency response.

Fiscal impact

  • A one‑time appropriation of $2,000,000 (nonrecurring) to the Department of Public Instruction for FY 2025–2026 to help schools purchase AEDs and develop CERPs and related emergency action plans.
  • Ongoing costs (not specified in the bill) may include AED maintenance, replacement pads/batteries, recurring training, and staff time for drills and plan upkeep; these would likely be borne by school units.

Timeline / Procedural notes

  • The act becomes effective July 1, 2025 and applies beginning with the 2025–2026 school year.
  • The State Board of Education must promulgate rules for AED placement, training, and maintenance (timing for rule adoption not specified in the bill text).
  • Each CERP must be reviewed annually thereafter.

Implementation considerations

  • Districts will need to inventory existing AEDs, identify gaps, and budget for maintenance and recurring training beyond the initial State allocation.
  • Coordination with local EMS and scheduling annual drills and staff training will require operational planning.
  • The State Board rulemaking process will establish the detailed technical and compliance requirements (placement standards, training curricula, maintenance schedules, documentation, etc.).

Summary: SB 278 mandates standardized cardiac emergency preparedness across North Carolina public schools by requiring CERPs, at least one AED per school with accessibility and signage standards, annual staff training and drills, coordination with EMS, and provides $2 million in one‑time state funding to help with initial costs.

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

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