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S 447

An Act providing hands only CPR training and the use of defibrillators

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Sal DiDomenico and 2 co-sponsors

Massachusetts bill mandates CPR and defibrillator training in schools to increase public emergency response capacity and cardiac arrest survival rates.

Hearing scheduled for 07/21/2025 from 11:00 AM-05:00 PM in Gardner Auditorium
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Bill Summary · S 447

Legislative bill overview

S 447 mandates hands-only CPR training and automated external defibrillator (AED) education in Massachusetts schools. The bill requires students to learn these life-saving techniques as part of their educational curriculum, with the goal of increasing public readiness to respond to cardiac emergencies.

Why is this important

Sudden cardiac arrest can be fatal within minutes, and immediate CPR and defibrillation significantly improve survival rates. By training students early, the bill aims to create a generation of citizens capable of providing emergency response, potentially saving lives in schools, workplaces, and communities. This addresses a documented gap in public preparedness for cardiac emergencies.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Schools must acquire AED equipment and train staff to teach CPR, requiring budget allocation that may strain already-tight education funding
  • Curriculum time constraints: Adding mandatory CPR training means reducing time for other subjects or activities, raising questions about educational priorities
  • Training standardization: The bill may lack specifics on instructor qualifications, training frequency, and whether students need certification, creating inconsistency across districts
  • Liability concerns: Schools may face legal questions about liability if trained students attempt CPR with inadequate follow-up training or in inappropriate situations

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

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