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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3059 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2552
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Andres X. Vargas
_________________
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to student heart health.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Andres X. Vargas3rd Essex1/16/2025 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3059 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2552
By Representative Vargas of Haverhill, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2552) of
Andres X. Vargas relative to the development and posting of guidelines and other relevant
materials to inform and educate students about the symptoms and warning signs of heart disease.
Public Health.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act relative to student heart health.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1
2 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled,
3and by the authority of the same, as follows: The second paragraph of section 1L of chapter 69 of
4the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding, in
5after the word “resuscitation” the following− and the use of automatic external defibrillators.
6Instruction in hands only cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of automatic external
7defibrillators must be the most current national evidence−based Emergency Cardiovascular Care
8guidelines and incorporate psychomotor skills development into the instruction as part of a
9graduation requirement. “Psychomotor skills” is defined as the use of hands-on practicing and
10skills testing to support cognitive learning. A licensed teacher shall not be required to be a
11certified trainer of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, to facilitate, provide or oversee such 2 of 2
12instruction for non-certification. Courses which result in a certification being earned are required
13to be taught by an authorized CPR/AED instructor.
14 SECTION 2. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the department
15of elementary and secondary education, based on available appropriations, in Chapter 69,
16Section 11, will allow as part of the discretionary grant program to provide financial incentives
17for school districts who require psychomotor skill-based CPR and AED training prior to
18graduation.
19 (1) Psychomotor Skill-Based hands only CPR Training shall be based on national
20Guidelines for CPR and ECC which incorporates the use of hands-on practicing.
21 (2) These incentives can be in the form of mini-grants or subsidies to support equipment,
22professional development for psychomotor skills-based CPR training for students to provide
23hands only CPR training and use of an automated external defibrillator. There shall be a priority
24for school districts that are considered high needs as defined as where at least 50% of children
25are eligible to receive free and reduced priced meals or the school participates in the Community
26Eligibility Provision or Universal Free Meals or high-need schools may also be defined by Title
271 status.