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H 556

An Act providing CPR and AED Education for All, AKA The CPR and AED Education for All Act

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Carol Doherty and 1 co-sponsor

Massachusetts H 556 requires schools to teach all students CPR and AED use to expand emergency response capacity and improve cardiac arrest survival rates.

Reporting date extended to Wednesday, December 17, 2025
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Bill Summary · H 556

Legislative bill overview

H 556 mandates CPR and AED (Automated External Defibrillator) education for all students in Massachusetts schools. The bill requires schools to incorporate training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillator use into their curricula, likely as part of health or physical education requirements.

Why is this important

Sudden cardiac arrest can strike anyone at any age, and early CPR and AED use significantly improve survival rates. By training all students, the bill aims to create a generation of bystanders capable of responding to cardiac emergencies in schools, workplaces, and communities, potentially saving lives.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Schools must purchase AED equipment, maintain it, and provide training resources, creating budget pressures on already-strained education budgets
  • Curriculum time and prioritization: Mandating new content requires schools to either expand curricula or reduce time spent on other subjects, raising questions about educational priorities
  • Liability and certification concerns: Unclear whether students need formal certification, whether schools face liability for untrained responders, and how long training remains valid

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

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