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HB 886

State Retirement and Pension System – Deferred Vested Former Members – Return to Service

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Cathi Forbes

NC public schools must have one AED each and train staff in AED/CPR, with state rules, local policies, and a $4.1 million one-time funding for 2025-26.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 770
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Bill Summary · HB 886

Summary — HB 886: AEDs and CPR in Public Schools

Status: Passed House (3rd reading 5/7/2025); Special message sent to Senate.
Introduced: April 9, 2025 (prefiled/earlier drafting activity noted).
Effective date (as drafted): July 1, 2025; applies beginning with the 2025–2026 school year.
Also cited as: "The Rep. Becky Carney Cardiac Arrest Act" (second edition).

Purpose / Intent

Require public schools to have at least one automatic external defibrillator (AED) on site and to ensure school personnel receive appropriate training in AED use and CPR/first aid. The measure aims to improve survival from sudden cardiac arrest in school settings by standardizing AED placement, training, maintenance, and coordination with emergency services.

Key provisions

  • State Board of Education rulemaking (new G.S. 115C‑12(50)):
    • Adopt rules for installation, use, and maintenance of AEDs in public school units.
    • Minimum requirements must address:
    • Placement of at least one AED in each school, to be located in the school athletic facility or area.
    • An appropriate training course for school personnel covering AED use and the role of CPR and first aid.
    • Proper maintenance and testing schedules for AEDs.
    • Coordination with licensed professionals to oversee training.
    • Coordination with local emergency medical systems (EMS) regarding AED placement.
  • Duties for local governing bodies:
    • Local boards of education, community college trustees, charter school operators, regional schools, and the UNC Board of Governors (public secondary schools under its jurisdiction) must develop policies for AED installation, maintenance, and use consistent with State Board rules (amendments to G.S. 115C‑47, 115C‑150.12C, 115C‑218.75, 115C‑238.66, and 116‑11).
  • Implementation tools:
    • The State Board may adopt emergency rules to implement the law for the 2025–2026 school year (second edition).
  • Funding:
    • Nonrecurring appropriation of $4,100,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction for FY 2025–26.
    • Funds allocated on a first‑come, first‑served basis to governing bodies sufficient to purchase and install one AED per school and provide required personnel training.

Who is affected

  • Public K–12 schools in the state (local school units, charter schools, regional schools).
  • Public secondary schools under the Board of Governors’ jurisdiction.
  • School personnel who will be trained in AED/CPR/first aid.
  • Local education agencies (responsible for creating and enforcing AED policies).
  • Local EMS and licensed training professionals (for coordination and oversight).

Expected impacts and considerations

  • Immediate safety benefit: Increased capacity to respond to sudden cardiac arrest on school property; evidence supports better survival when AEDs and trained responders are available.
  • Fiscal: The bill provides $4.1 million one‑time funding to cover purchase/installation and initial training for one AED per school. Ongoing costs (replacement pads/batteries, periodic maintenance, refresher training, additional AEDs for large campuses) are not specifically funded and will be a local responsibility.
  • Administrative: Local boards and governing bodies must adopt policies aligned with State Board rules; State Board must promulgate implementing rules (including emergency rules to meet the 2025–26 start).
  • Implementation timeline: Effective July 1, 2025, with applicability beginning in the 2025–2026 school year.

Sponsors / Related

Primary sponsors (NC): Reps. Gable, Almond, Schietzelt, Chesser. Additional sponsors listed in bill text. Companion/related measures not noted for this state version.

(For readers: This summary focuses on the North Carolina HB 886 text titled “AEDs and CPR in Public Schools.” Other unrelated bills using the same bill number in other jurisdictions (on topics such as retirement or ransomware) are separate measures.)

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

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