Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF737

Introduced

3/5/25

Refer

3/5/25

Refer

3/6/25

Caption

A bill for an act establishing the school health-related emergency response plan competitive grant program within the department of education, making appropriations, and including applicability provisions.

Impact

HF737 seeks to improve school safety by establishing clear protocols for responding to cardiac emergencies, which is particularly significant given the frequency of these incidents during physical activities. The bill requires schools to install automated external defibrillators (AEDs) prominently on their campuses and mandates that staff receive regular training in first aid and CPR. These measures are intended to reduce response times and enhance the chance of survival for individuals experiencing cardiac distress during school functions.

Summary

House File 737 (HF737) introduces the school health-related emergency response plan competitive grant program, aiming to enhance the preparedness of schools in managing cardiac emergencies. The bill mandates schools to create a formal cardiac emergency response plan which outlines the necessary actions when a student faces a cardiac arrest or similar life-threatening situation. It stipulates that these plans must incorporate guidelines from the American Heart Association, ensuring adherence to best practices in health emergency management within educational settings.

Contention

The discussions surrounding HF737 highlight a consensus on the importance of pupil safety in schools; however, there may be concerns regarding the adequacy of funding and the administrative burden of implementing comprehensive emergency protocols. As the program is established under the Department of Education, its funding relies on appropriations, raising questions of allocation and potential disparities among schools, particularly those with fewer resources. Stakeholders may debate the sufficiency of the proposed grant program in covering the costs of training and equipment necessary for effective implementation.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

IA HSB730

A bill for an act providing for cardiac emergency response plans in schools and a cardiac emergency response plan grant program.

IA SF2004

A bill for an act establishing the advanced dyslexia specialist endorsement competitive grant program within the department of education and making appropriations.

IA HF104

A bill for an act establishing the advanced dyslexia specialist endorsement competitive grant program within the department of education and making appropriations.

IA HSB692

A bill for an act relating to school security, including by modifying provisions related to the issuance of school bonds, requiring schools to conduct school safety reviews and have access to the statewide interoperable communications system, establishing the school emergency radio access grant program and the firearm detection software grant program within the department of homeland security and emergency management, requiring the department of public safety to convene a task force related to the safety and security standards of schools and school infrastructure, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.(See HF 2652.)

IA SF2019

A bill for an act establishing the national FFA organization advisors competitive grant program within the department of education and making appropriations.

IA HF2377

A bill for an act establishing the advanced dyslexia specialist endorsement competitive grant program within the department of education and making appropriations.(Formerly HF 2030; See HF 2643.)

IA HF2643

A bill for an act establishing the advanced dyslexia specialist endorsement competitive grant program within the department of education and making appropriations.(Formerly HF 2377, HF 2030.)

IA HF2030

A bill for an act establishing the advanced dyslexia specialist endorsement competitive grant program within the department of education and making appropriations.(See HF 2377, HF 2643.)

IA HF559

A bill for an act establishing an agriculture education grant program within the department of education and making appropriations.(Formerly HF 389.)

IA HF389

A bill for an act establishing an agriculture education grant program within the department of education and making appropriations.(See HF 559.)

Similar Bills

CA AB2009

Interscholastic athletic programs: school districts: written emergency action plans: automated external defibrillator.

MO SB166

Requires public schools to develop cardiac emergency response plans

MO SB155

Requires public schools to develop cardiac emergency response plans

MO SB1032

Requires public schools to develop cardiac emergency response plans

MO SB1081

Requires public schools to develop cardiac emergency response plans

PA SB375

In certification of teachers, repealing provisions relating to CPR instruction; and, in school health services, repealing provisions relating to automatic external defibrillators and providing for AED and CPR instruction and procedure, establishing the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Program and providing for availability and specifications of automated external defibrillators.

PA HB1203

In grounds and buildings, providing for automated external defibrillator placement, inspection, maintenance and plan; in school health services, further providing for automatic external defibrillators; and, in charter schools, further providing for provisions applicable to charter schools and for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations.