Introduced Version
SENATE BILL No. 500
_____
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL
Citations Affected: IC 20-34-8.
Synopsis: Cardiac arrest action plans. Requires a school corporation,
charter school, and nonpublic school with at least one employee to
develop a venue specific emergency action plan for sudden cardiac
arrest, in consultation with an emergency medical services provider, for
athletic activities or other extracurricular activities. (Current law
provides that a school corporation, charter school, or state accredited
nonpublic school may develop a venue specific emergency action
plan.) Requires the department of education (department) to
disseminate guidelines, information sheets, and forms to each
nonpublic school with at least one employee, charter school, and school
corporation for distribution to schools to inform and educate coaches,
marching band leaders, officials designated by the applicable student's
school entity, applicable students, and parents of applicable students
of the nature and risk of sudden cardiac arrest to applicable students.
(Current law requires the department to disseminate guidelines,
information sheets, and forms to each state accredited nonpublic
school, charter school, and each school corporation for distribution to
schools to inform and educate coaches, marching band leaders,
officials designated by the applicable student's school entity, applicable
students, and parents of applicable students of the nature and risk of
sudden cardiac arrest to applicable students.) Moves existing law that
authorizes a school corporation, a charter school, a state accredited
nonpublic school, or an accredited nonpublic school to apply for an
Indiana secured school matching grant to purchase an automated
external defibrillator to a new section. Makes various stylistic and
conforming amendments. Repeals a definition of "school".
Effective: July 1, 2025.
Ford J.D.
January 14, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Education and Career
Development.
2025 IN 500—LS 6496/DI 116 Introduced
First Regular Session of the 124th General Assembly (2025)
PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana
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Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts
between statutes enacted by the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
SENATE BILL No. 500
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
education.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
1 SECTION 1. IC 20-34-8-3 IS REPEALED [EFFECTIVE JULY 1,
2 2025]. Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "school" refers to a public school
3 and a state accredited nonpublic school.
4 SECTION 2. IC 20-34-8-3.5, AS ADDED BY P.L.187-2023,
5 SECTION 1, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
6 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 3.5. As used in this chapter, "venue specific
7 emergency action plan for sudden cardiac arrest" means a plan
8 developed by a school corporation, charter school, or state accredited
9 nonpublic school that has at least one (1) employee that:
10 (1) includes detailed instructions regarding how to respond to
11 sudden cardiac arrest; and
12 (2) indicates the location of the nearest automated external
13 defibrillator (AED) at the venue, if applicable.
14 SECTION 3. IC 20-34-8-3.7 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
15 AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY
16 1, 2025]: Sec. 3.7. A school corporation, charter school, and
17 nonpublic school with at least one (1) employee shall do the
2025 IN 500—LS 6496/DI 116 2
1 following:
2 (1) Develop a venue specific emergency action plan for sudden
3 cardiac arrest, in consultation with an emergency medical
4 services provider, for athletic activities that:
5 (A) establishes a goal of responding within three (3)
6 minutes to a sudden cardiac arrest occurring within the
7 venue; and
8 (B) requires the performance of periodic drills at times and
9 locations determined by the governing body.
10 (2) Distribute the plan described in subdivision (1) to the
11 governing body, or its equivalent.
12 (3) Share the plan described in subdivision (1) with a:
13 (A) head coach or assistant coach who coaches an athletic
14 activity;
15 (B) marching band leader;
16 (C) drama or musical leader;
17 (D) leader of an extracurricular activity in which students
18 have an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest as
19 determined by the department in consultation with an
20 organization that specializes in the prevention of sudden
21 cardiac arrest; or
22 (E) school resource officer.
23 (4) Post the plan described in subdivision (1) in a conspicuous
24 place so that it is visible by any participants of an athletic
25 activity at the venue.
26 (5) Before the beginning of the season of each event in which
27 students have an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest,
28 share the plan described in subdivision (1) with all applicable
29 students.
30 SECTION 4. IC 20-34-8-5, AS AMENDED BY P.L.56-2021,
31 SECTION 5, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
32 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 5. (a) The department shall disseminate
33 guidelines, information sheets, and forms to each state accredited
34 nonpublic school with at least one (1) employee, charter school, and
35 each school corporation for distribution to schools to inform and
36 educate coaches, marching band leaders, applicable students, and
37 parents of applicable students of the nature and risk of sudden cardiac
38 arrest to applicable students. The guidelines and information sheets
39 must include the following information:
40 (1) The nature and warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest,
41 including the risks associated with continuing to play or practice
42 after experiencing one (1) or more symptoms of sudden cardiac
2025 IN 500—LS 6496/DI 116 3
1 arrest, including:
2 (A) fainting;
3 (B) difficulty breathing;
4 (C) chest pains;
5 (D) dizziness; and
6 (E) abnormal racing heart rate.
7 (2) Information about electrocardiogram testing, including the
8 potential risks, benefits, and evidentiary basis behind
9 electrocardiogram testing.
10 (b) The department:
11 (1) may consult with an association, medical professionals, and
12 others with expertise in diagnosing and treating sudden cardiac
13 arrest; and
14 (2) may request the assistance of an association in disseminating
15 the guidelines, information sheets, and forms required under
16 subsection (a).
17 (c) The department may disseminate the guidelines, information
18 sheets, and forms required under this section in an electronic format
19 and must be made available on the department's Internet web site.
20 website.
21 SECTION 5. IC 20-34-8-6, AS AMENDED BY P.L.56-2021,
22 SECTION 6, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
23 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 6. (a) This section applies to a:
24 (1) school corporation;
25 (2) charter school; and
26 (3) state accredited nonpublic school.
27 (b) Each year, before beginning practice for an athletic activity, an
28 applicable student and the applicable student's parent:
29 (1) must be given the information sheet and form described in
30 section 5 of this chapter; and
31 (2) shall sign and return the form acknowledging the receipt and
32 review of the information sheet to the applicable student's coach,
33 marching band leader, or other official designated by the
34 applicable student's school entity.
35 The coach, marching band leader, or other official designated by the
36 applicable student's school entity shall maintain a file of the completed
37 forms.
38 SECTION 6. IC 20-34-8-7, AS AMENDED BY P.L.56-2021,
39 SECTION 7, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
40 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 7. (a) This section applies to a:
41 (1) school corporation;
42 (2) charter school; and
2025 IN 500—LS 6496/DI 116 4
1 (3) state accredited nonpublic school.
2 (b) If an applicable student is suspected, as determined by a game
3 official, coach from the applicable student's team, licensed athletic
4 trainer, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse,
5 licensed physician, marching band leader, or other official designated
6 by the applicable student's school entity, of experiencing a symptom of
7 sudden cardiac arrest in a practice for an athletic activity or in an
8 athletic activity:
9 (1) the applicable student shall be removed from practice or play
10 at the time that the symptom is identified; and
11 (2) the parent of the applicable student shall be notified of the
12 applicable student's symptoms.
13 SECTION 7. IC 20-34-8-9, AS AMENDED BY P.L.9-2024,
14 SECTION 396, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS
15 [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 9. (a) This section applies to:
16 (1) a:
17 (A) school corporation;
18 (B) charter school; and
19 (C) state accredited nonpublic school; and
20 (2) a:
21 (A) (1) a head coach or assistant coach who coaches an
22 athletic activity;
23 (B) (2) a marching band leader;
24 (C) (3) a drama or musical leader; or
25 (D) (4) a leader of an extracurricular activity in which students
26 have an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest activity as
27 determined by the department in consultation with an
28 organization that specializes in the prevention of sudden
29 cardiac arrest.
30 (b) An individual described in subsection (a) (a)(2) shall complete
31 the sudden cardiac arrest training course offered by a provider
32 approved by the department in a manner specified by the state board
33 under IC 20-28-5.5-1 or IC 20-28-5.5-1.5. The sudden cardiac arrest
34 training course described in this subsection must include training in the
35 use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). An individual
36 described in subsection (a) (a)(2) may not coach or lead the event in
37 which students have an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest until the
38 individual completes the training course required under this subsection.
39 The provider shall provide the school with a certificate of completion
40 to the school corporation, charter school, or state accredited nonpublic
41 school for each individual who completes a course under this
42 subsection.
2025 IN 500—LS 6496/DI 116 5
1 (c) Each school corporation, charter school, or state accredited
2 nonpublic school shall maintain all certificates of completion awarded
3 under subsection (b) for each individual described in subsection (a).
4 (a)(2).
5 (d) An individual described in subsection (a) (a)(2) who complies
6 with this section and provides coaching or leadership services in good
7 faith is not personally liable for damages in a civil action as a result of
8 a sudden cardiac arrest incurred by an applicable student participating
9 in an event in which students have an increased risk of sudden cardiac
10 arrest for which the head coach, assistant coach, marching band leader,
11 drama or musical leader, or other applicable leader provided coaching
12 or leadership services, except for an act or omission by the individual
13 described in subsection (a) (a)(2) that constitutes gross negligence or
14 willful or wanton misconduct.
15 (e) An individual described in subsection (a) (a)(2) may ensure that
16 an operational automated external defibrillator (AED) is present at each
17 event in which students have an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest
18 for which the individual described in subsection (a) (a)(2) is providing
19 coaching or leadership.
20 (f) An automated external defibrillator (AED) described in
21 subsection (e) may be:
22 (1) deployed in accordance with the venue specific emergency
23 action plan for sudden cardiac arrest developed under subsection
24 (i); section 3.7 of this chapter;
25 (2) except as provided in subsection (g), located on the premises
26 where the event in which students have an increased risk of
27 sudden cardiac arrest occurs; and
28 (3) present for the duration of the event in which students have an
29 increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
30 (g) One (1) automated external defibrillator (AED) may be shared
31 by two (2) or more events in which students have an increased risk of
32 sudden cardiac arrest if the following conditions are met:
33 (1) The events in which students have an increased risk of sudden
34 cardiac arrest occur at the same time.
35 (2) The events in which students have an increased risk of sudden
36 cardiac arrest occur in locations that are in close proximity to
37 each other, as determined by the department.
38 (3) The automated external defibrillator (AED) is placed in a
39 designated location that is between the events in which students
40 have an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest and meets the
41 requirement of subsection (f)(3).
42 (4) Each individual described in subsection (a) (a)(2) who
2025 IN 500—LS 6496/DI 116 6
1 conducts an event in which students have an increased risk of
2 sudden cardiac arrest described in this subsection is aware of the
3 designated location of the automated external defibrillator (AED).
4 (h) At each event in which students have an increased risk of sudden
5 cardiac arrest, an individual described in subsection (a) (a)(2) may
6 inform all individuals who are coaching or providing leadership at the
7 event in which students have an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest
8 of the location of the automated external defibrillator (AED).
9 (i) A school corporation, charter school, and state accredited
10 nonpublic school may do the following:
11 (1) ensure that an automated external defibrillator (AED)
12 described in subsection (e) is properly maintained.
13 (2) Develop a venue specific emergency action plan for sudden
14 cardiac arrest that:
15 (A) establishes a goal of responding within three (3) minutes
16 to a sudden cardiac arrest occurring within the venue; and
17 (B) requires the performance of periodic drills at times and
18 locations determined by the governing body.
19 (3) Distribute the plan described in subdivision (2) to the school
20 board.
21 (4) Share the plan described in subdivision (2) with each
22 individual described in subsection (a).
23 (5) Post the plan described in subdivision (2) in a conspicuous
24 place so that it is visible by any participants of an activity at the
25 venue.
26 (6) Before the beginning of the season of each event in which
27 students have an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest, share the
28 plan described in subdivision (2) with all applicable students.
29 (j) A school corporation, a charter school, a state accredited
30 nonpublic school (as defined in IC 20-18-2-18.7), or an accredited
31 nonpublic school (as defined in IC 10-21-1-1) may apply for a grant
32 under IC 10-21-1-2(a)(1)(C)(viii) to purchase an automated external
33 defibrillator (AED) if the school corporation, charter school, state
34 accredited nonpublic school or accredited nonpublic school develops
35 a venue specific emergency action plan for sudden cardiac arrest.
36 SECTION 8. IC 20-34-8-10 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
37 AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY
38 1, 2025]: Sec. 10. A school corporation, a charter school, a state
39 accredited nonpublic school (as defined in IC 20-18-2-18.7), or an
40 accredited nonpublic school (as defined in IC 10-21-1-1) may apply
41 for a grant under IC 10-21-1-2(a)(1)(C)(viii) to purchase an
42 automated external defibrillator (AED) if the school corporation,
2025 IN 500—LS 6496/DI 116 7
1 charter school, state accredited nonpublic school, or accredited
2 nonpublic school develops a venue specific emergency action plan
3 for sudden cardiac arrest.
2025 IN 500—LS 6496/DI 116