The Illinois General Assembly has moved forward with House Bill 3275, a measure designed to improve emergency preparedness and student safety in schools by mandating enhanced training and planning for cardiac emergencies.

The bill aims to ensure a rapid and effective response to life-threatening cardiac incidents during school activities, potentially saving lives by equipping key staff with critical emergency skills and ensuring clear protocols are in place.

If passed, school districts and private schools will be required to develop a detailed Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP) by Jan. 1 2026.

This plan must:

• Outline procedures for responding to cardiac emergencies on school premises.
• List and ensure the maintenance and accessibility of all AEDs at school venues and events.
• Provide training for staff on recognizing symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest, hands-only CPR, and AED use. All paid school head coaches and chief sponsors of athletic activities must obtain and maintain certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). The certifications must align with national, evidence-based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines.
• Establish a trained cardiac emergency response team.
• Include annual cardiac response drills, conducted in partnership with local emergency medical services. These drills can be held without student participation.