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HB 337

Cardiac Emergencies on School Grounds

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Kim Berfield and 5 co-sponsors

HB 337 would mandate Florida schools implement cardiac emergency protocols, staff CPR training, and AED access, though it died in committee as a companion bill passed instead.

Died in Education Administration Subcommittee, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/HB 1607 (Ch. 2025-67)
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Bill Summary · HB 337

Legislative bill overview

HB 337 would have required Florida schools to establish protocols for responding to cardiac emergencies on school grounds, including training staff in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and ensuring access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs). The bill aimed to create standardized emergency response procedures to improve survival rates for students and staff experiencing sudden cardiac events.

Why is this important

Sudden cardiac arrest can be fatal within minutes, and immediate CPR and defibrillation dramatically increase survival chances. Schools are environments where large populations of young people gather, making preparedness for cardiac emergencies a potential lifesaving measure. However, this bill died in committee, though a companion measure (CS/HB 1607) ultimately passed into law.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Schools would bear expenses for AED equipment, maintenance, staff training, and ongoing certification renewal
  • Liability concerns: Questions about who bears responsibility if emergency protocols fail or staff fail to respond appropriately
  • Training burden: Mandate requiring educators to receive CPR/AED training could strain school resources and create staffing challenges during training periods
  • Duplication concerns: Some districts may have already implemented similar protocols, making a statewide mandate potentially redundant in certain areas

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

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