BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1551 89R5691 BCH-F By: Cook Education K-16 3/17/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT An automatic external defibrillator (AED) is extremely important in an educational institution as it significantly increases the survival rate of a student experiencing a cardiac episode. There is a 70 percent survival rate for students experiencing a cardiac arrest in a school with an AED. Although Texas law mandates an AED at every school campus, the statute does provide adequate guidance on the placement of AEDs. S.B. 1551 would require school campuses to place AEDs in a marked and accessible location. Additionally, schools may not place AEDs in a locked case when students or faculty are regularly present on campus. Anticipated support includes the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, and other health and school-aligned groups. There is no known opposition to this legislation. As proposed, S.B. 1551 amends current law relating to the availability of automated external defibrillators at public schools. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 38.017(a), Education Code, as follows: (a) Requires the principal of a campus, in determining the placement of a campus defibrillator, rather than the location at which to store a campus defibrillator, to consider the primary location on campus where students engage in athletic activities and place the defibrillator in a clearly marked and accessible location. Prohibits an automated external defibrillator from being placed in a locked case when students or school employees are regularly present on campus. SECTION 2. Requires each public school to which Section 38.017 (Availability of Automated External Defibrillator), Education Code, as amended by this Act, applies, not later than the first instructional day of the 20262027 school year, to make available automated external defibrillators as required by that section. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1551
89R5691 BCH-F By: Cook
Education K-16
3/17/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 1551
89R5691 BCH-F
By: Cook
Education K-16
3/17/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
An automatic external defibrillator (AED) is extremely important in an educational institution as it significantly increases the survival rate of a student experiencing a cardiac episode. There is a 70 percent survival rate for students experiencing a cardiac arrest in a school with an AED. Although Texas law mandates an AED at every school campus, the statute does provide adequate guidance on the placement of AEDs.
S.B. 1551 would require school campuses to place AEDs in a marked and accessible location. Additionally, schools may not place AEDs in a locked case when students or faculty are regularly present on campus.
Anticipated support includes the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, and other health and school-aligned groups. There is no known opposition to this legislation.
As proposed, S.B. 1551 amends current law relating to the availability of automated external defibrillators at public schools.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 38.017(a), Education Code, as follows:
(a) Requires the principal of a campus, in determining the placement of a campus defibrillator, rather than the location at which to store a campus defibrillator, to consider the primary location on campus where students engage in athletic activities and place the defibrillator in a clearly marked and accessible location. Prohibits an automated external defibrillator from being placed in a locked case when students or school employees are regularly present on campus.
SECTION 2. Requires each public school to which Section 38.017 (Availability of Automated External Defibrillator), Education Code, as amended by this Act, applies, not later than the first instructional day of the 20262027 school year, to make available automated external defibrillators as required by that section.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.