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SB 48

AN ACT AUTHORIZING BONDS OF THE STATE FOR THE PURCHASE OF AUTOMATIC EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS AT SCHOOLS.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Eric Berthel and 1 co-sponsor

Connecticut authorizes state bonds to fund automatic external defibrillators in schools, creating uniform cardiac emergency response access regardless of district resources.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Finance, Revenue and Bonding
#automaticexternaldefibrillators #schools #statebondsforpublicsafety
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Bill Summary · SB 48

Legislative bill overview

SB 48 authorizes Connecticut to issue state bonds to fund the purchase and installation of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) at schools throughout the state. The bill treats AED acquisition as a capital infrastructure investment worthy of long-term debt financing rather than annual budget appropriations. This would enable schools to equip buildings with devices that can treat sudden cardiac arrest before emergency services arrive.

Why is this important

Sudden cardiac arrest in young people, while rare, is often fatal without immediate intervention—AEDs can double or triple survival rates when deployed within minutes. Currently, AED availability varies significantly across Connecticut schools depending on individual district budgets, creating equity gaps in life-saving equipment access. Bond financing would create uniform access to these critical devices across all public schools regardless of district wealth.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost-benefit analysis unclear: The bill does not specify total funding amount, number of devices needed, or maintenance/replacement costs over the bond's lifetime, making it difficult to assess fiscal responsibility
  • Maintenance burden on schools: AEDs require regular battery replacement, pad updates, and staff training—ongoing costs that may fall to already-stretched school budgets without dedicated funding streams
  • Debt vs. operational funding debate: Some may argue this represents an unnecessary long-term debt obligation for equipment that could be funded through annual appropriations or private grants/donations

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

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