The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Education Pre-K -12
BILL: SB 430
INTRODUCER: Senator Simon
SUBJECT: Automated External Defibrillators on School Grounds
DATE: March 14, 2025
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Jahnke Bouck ED Pre-meeting
2. AED
3. RC
I. Summary:
SB 430 establishes the “Kickstart My Heart Act,” requiring that by July 1, 2027, every public
school, including charter schools, must have at least one operational automated external
defibrillator (AED) on school grounds. Specifically, public schools are required to:
• Maintain AEDs according to manufacturer specifications.
• Publicize and clearly mark AED locations.
• Report annually to the Commissioner of Education, beginning June 30, 2028, on AED usage
and cardiac arrest survival rates.
The bill clarifies that a public school that is a member of the Florida High School Athletic
Association (FHSAA) and required to maintain an operational AED on campus related to
athletics does not constitute compliance with this act.
The bill authorizes, subject to appropriation, reimbursement by the Department of Education of
up to 50 percent of AED purchase costs for public schools and charter schools and requires the
State Board of Education to adopt rules.
The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025.
II. Present Situation:
Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a significant health risk in school settings, particularly during
vigorous physical activity such as athletic practices and games. Immediate intervention through
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) is
crucial. Research indicates that individuals experiencing ventricular fibrillation, a common cause
of SCA, have a survival rate of 50 percent or higher when CPR and AED treatment are
REVISED: BILL: SB 430 Page 2
administered within three to five minutes of collapse. In 2014 alone, approximately 360,000
cases of sudden cardiac arrest occurred in community settings across the United States, including
schools, highlighting the importance of readily accessible AEDs on school grounds.
1
CPR, First Aid, and AEDs
CPR is an emergency lifesaving procedure performed when the heart stops beating. Immediate
CPR can double or triple the chances of survival after cardiac arrest by keeping the blood flow
active until the arrival of trained medical staff.
2
First aid refers to medical attention that is usually administered immediately on-site after the
injury occurs. It often consists of a one-time, short-term treatment and requires little technology
or training to administer. First aid can include cleaning minor cuts, scrapes, or scratches; treating
a minor burn; applying bandages and dressings; the use of non-prescription medicine; draining
blisters; removing debris from the eyes; massage; and drinking fluids to relieve heat stress.
3
An AED is a lightweight, portable device that delivers an electric shock through the chest to the
heart when it detects an abnormal rhythm and changes the rhythm back to normal.
4
AEDs can
greatly increase a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival.
5
Although formal AED training isn’t
required, it’s recommended to increase the confidence level of the user, promoting better
outcomes.
6
AEDs on School Grounds
Since 2006, a public school that is a member of the Florida High School Athletic Association
(FHSAA)
7
has been required to have an operational AED on school grounds.
8
In 2020, the
“Zachary Martin Act” required the AED to be in a clearly marked and publicized location for
each athletic contest, practice, workout, or conditioning session, including those conducted
outside of the school year. Public and private partnerships are encouraged to cover the cost
associated with the purchase and placement of the AED and training in the use of the AED
.9
1
American Heart Association, Cardiac Emergency Response Planning for Schools: A Policy Statement (2016), available at
https://cpr.heart.org/-/media/CPR-Files/Training-Programs/Nation-of-Heartsavers/CERP/CERP-for-Schools-Policy-in-
Brief.pdf.
2
American Heart Association Emergency Cardiovascular Care, What is CPR?, available at
https://cpr.heart.org/en/resources/what-is-cpr (last visited Mar. 11, 2025).
3
Occupational Safety and Health Administration, What is First Aid?, available at https://www.osha.gov/medical-first-
aid/recognition (last visited Mar. 11, 2025).
4
American Heart Association, What Is an Automated External Defibrillator?, available at https://www.heart.org/-
/media/files/health-topics/answers-by-heart/what-is-an-aed.pdf (last visited Mar. 11, 2025).
5
Supra note 2.
6
Supra note 4.
7
See Section 1006.20, F.S. The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) is designated in Florida law as a
governing nonprofit organization of athletics in Florida public schools.
7
Any high school
7
in Florida, including charter
schools, virtual schools, and home education cooperatives, may become a member of the FHSAA and participate in the
activities of the FHSAA.
8
Ch. 2006-301, Laws of Fla.
9
Section 1006.165(1)(a), F.S. BILL: SB 430 Page 3
Beginning in 2021, a school employee or volunteer with current training in CPR and the use of
an AED must be present at every athletic event during and outside of the school year, including
athletic contests, practices, workouts, and conditioning sessions. The training must include
completion of a course in CPR or a basic first aid course that includes CPR training and
demonstrated proficiency in the use of an AED. Each employee or volunteer who is reasonably
expected to use an AED must complete this training.
10
The location of the AED must be registered with a local emergency medical services medical
director and each employee or volunteer required to complete the training must be notified
annually in writing of the location of the AED on school grounds. The use of defibrillators by
employees and volunteers is covered under the Good Samaritan Act and the Cardiac Arrest
Survival Act.
11
Athletic coaches employed by a public school, not just schools that are members of the FHSAA,
must hold and maintain certification in CPR, first aid, and the use of an AED. The certification
must be consistent with national evidence-based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines.
12
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
SB 430 establishes the “Kickstart My Heart Act,” requiring that by July 1, 2027, every public
school, including charter schools, must have at least one operational automated external
defibrillator (AED or defibrillator) on school grounds. The defibrillator must be available in a
clearly marked and publicized location. Schools must maintain the defibrillator according to the
manufacturer's recommendations and maintain all verification records for the defibrillator. The
location of the defibrillator must be registered with a local emergency medical services medical
director.
The bill provides immunity from liability for school employees and volunteers who use a
defibrillator under the Good Samaritan Act and the Cardiac Arrest Survival Act.
Annually, beginning June 30, 2028, the bill requires each school district and charter school to
report to the Commissioner of Education how many times a defibrillator was used on school
grounds and the survival rate of individuals experiencing cardiac arrest.
If a public school is a member of the FHSAA and as such is already required to have an
operational AED on school grounds to comply with existing law, that does not constitute
compliance with the requirements of this bill. The bill requires such schools to purchase an
additional AED.
Subject to an appropriation, the bill authorizes the DOE to reimburse each school district and
charter school up to 50 percent of the total AED purchase price.
The bill requires the SBE to adopt rules to administer the provisions of the bill.
10
Section 1006.165(1)(b), F.S.
11
Section 1006.165(1)(c)-(d), F.S.
12
Section 1012.55(2)(a), F.S. BILL: SB 430 Page 4
The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025.
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
None.
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None.
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None.
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None.
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
None.
B. Private Sector Impact:
None.
C. Government Sector Impact:
There would not be an immediate fiscal impact on school districts for this bill. The
requirement for each public school, including charter schools, to have at least one
operational automated external defibrillator (AED) on school grounds is not required
until July 1, 2027. Upon the implementation date, there would be an indeterminate fiscal
impact on school districts to purchase and maintain the AED. Based on a recent survey
by the Florida Association of District School Superintendents, with 38 of 67 school
districts responding, many schools in these districts reported having at least one AED in
addition to the AED required for FHSAA member schools. Subject to an appropriation,
the bill allows the department to reimburse each school district and charter school up to
50 percent of the total automated external defibrillator purchase price. BILL: SB 430 Page 5
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
None.
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill creates section 1003.457 of the Florida Statutes.
The bill creates an undesignated section of Florida Law.
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
None.
B. Amendments:
None.
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.