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Bill

Bill

S 4195

Establishes Cardiac Emergency Response in Schools Grant Program in DOE, appropriates $600,000.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Vin Gopal

Establishes a $600,000 Cardiac Emergency Response in Schools Grant Program within the NJ Department of Education to fund training, AEDs, and related protocols.

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Bill Summary · S 4195

Summary of Bill S 4195 (Session 222) – New Jersey

Title

Establishes Cardiac Emergency Response in Schools Grant Program in DOE, appropriates $600,000.

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill aims to improve the health and safety infrastructure in public and charter schools by ensuring rapid and effective response to cardiac emergencies.
  • It creates a dedicated grant program within the Department of Education (DOE) to support schools in implementing and sustaining cardiac emergency response capabilities.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Establishment of Grant Program

    • Creates the Cardiac Emergency Response in Schools Grant Program within the New Jersey Department of Education.
    • Purpose: to fund measures that enhance the ability of schools to respond to cardiac emergencies, including training, equipment, and related initiatives.
  • Funding and Appropriation

    • Authorizes an appropriation of $600,000 to support the program.
    • Details on funding distribution (e.g., formula-based vs. competitive grants) are not specified in the provided summary; the bill would outline how funds are allocated to eligible schools or districts.
  • Eligible Uses of Grant Funds

    • Training for school staff on recognizing and responding to cardiac emergencies.
    • Purchase and maintenance of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and related equipment.
    • Development or improvement of protocols and drills for cardiac emergencies.
    • Potential support for data collection, program evaluation, and reporting requirements to DOE.
  • Eligible Applicants

    • Likely eligible entities include public schools, and possibly charter schools or school districts within New Jersey, though the exact eligibility criteria would be specified in the bill’s text.
  • Administration and Oversight

    • DOE would administer the grant program.
    • The bill would specify application processes, grant periods, reporting requirements, and compliance standards.
  • Timeline and Implementation

    • Upon enactment, the program would be established and funded through the specified appropriation.
    • The bill would set timelines for grant applications, award cycles, and deliverables, as defined in the final language.

Impact and Affected Parties

  • Primary Beneficiaries

    • Students, school staff, and school communities in New Jersey, who would gain improved emergency response capabilities.
    • School nurses, athletic staff, and other personnel responsible for student safety.
  • Broader Effects

    • Potential improvement in survival and outcomes for cardiac incidents in school settings.
    • Standardization of cardiac emergency preparedness across schools.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • The bill introduces a new grant program within the DOE and directs a specific dollar appropriation.
  • It will require rulemaking or guidelines from the DOE to operationalize grant administration, including application periods, eligibility criteria, and reporting.
  • The timeline would cover initial grant awards following appropriation and subsequent grant cycles, with ongoing oversight and evaluation.

Notes

  • Co-sponsor: Vin Gopal.
  • The summary reflects the stated purpose and typical components of such a grant program; the full bill text would provide precise definitions, eligibility tests, matching requirements (if any), and reporting formats.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize a specific stakeholder (school administrators, policymakers, or parents), or extract a side-by-side comparison with existing school emergency preparedness programs.

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

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