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Bill

SB 865

Relating to instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of automated external defibrillators and to a cardiac emergency response plan for certain school employees and volunteers.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Carol Alvarado and 3 co-sponsors

Texas requires public schools to train employees and volunteers in CPR/AED use and establish cardiac emergency response plans to improve survival rates during sudden cardiac events.

Effective immediately
#cardiopulmonaryresuscitation(s9793) #defibrillators(s0091) #education--primary&secondary--charterschools(i0245) #education--primary&secondary--otherschoolpersonnel(i0246) #landonpaytonact(pg5d3) #occupationalregulation--healthoccupations(i0540)
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Bill Summary · SB 865

Legislative bill overview

SB 865 mandates that Texas public schools provide CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) training to school employees and volunteers, and requires schools to develop cardiac emergency response plans. The bill became effective immediately upon the Governor's signature in June 2025.

Why is this important

Sudden cardiac arrest can occur in school settings among both students and staff, and immediate CPR and AED use significantly improve survival rates. By standardizing training and emergency protocols across schools, the bill aims to reduce preventable deaths and create more uniform emergency response capabilities across Texas's educational institutions.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation burden and costs: Schools must allocate resources for training programs, AED equipment maintenance, and plan development, which may strain already-tight education budgets
  • Training scope and frequency: The bill's requirements regarding who specifically must be trained, training renewal intervals, and liability protections for untrained personnel remain operationally unclear
  • Liability and Good Samaritan protections: Questions about legal protection for school employees or volunteers who perform CPR/AED use, or conversely, consequences for inadequate response during cardiac events

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

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