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Bill

SB 500

Cardiac arrest action plans.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by J.D. Ford

Indiana schools must create cardiac arrest response plans with CPR/AED training and accessible defibrillators to improve emergency survival rates.

Authored by Senator Ford J.D.
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Bill Summary · SB 500

Legislative bill overview

SB 500 requires Indiana schools to develop and implement cardiac arrest action plans, including staff training on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) use. The bill mandates that schools establish protocols for responding to cardiac emergencies and ensure AEDs are accessible and properly maintained on school premises.

Why is this important

Sudden cardiac arrest can strike individuals of any age, including students and staff, and survival rates increase dramatically when CPR and AEDs are deployed within minutes. Standardized action plans and trained responders can mean the difference between life and death in school settings, where large populations of people gather daily and emergency response times matter critically.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Schools may face significant expenses for AED purchases, maintenance, staff training programs, and liability insurance, potentially straining already limited education budgets
  • Liability concerns: Schools may worry about legal exposure if cardiac response protocols fail or staff incorrectly perform CPR, despite good-faith efforts
  • Training burden: Requiring staff training on CPR and AED use adds time and resource demands to already-packed school schedules and professional development calendars

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

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