BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 865 89R6001 RAL-F By: Alvarado Education K-16 4/14/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT S.B. 865 aims to address the need for comprehensive training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for school employees and volunteers across Texas school districts, private schools, and open-enrollment charter schools. The primary issue being addressed by this legislation is the lack of standardized, mandatory training for individuals who are often in direct contact with students and may even be first responders in a medical emergency. Immediate intervention through CPR and AED usage increases survival rates during a medical emergency. Under current Texas law, AED instruction is not mandated for school personnel and does not require certification from nationally recognized organizations such as the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross. This proposed legislation amends existing law by explicitly requiring that school nurses, assistant school nurses, athletic coaches and sponsors, physical education instructors, marching band directors, cheerleading coaches and other specified school employees, as well as student athletic trainers, participate in both CPR and AED instruction and maintain certification from a recognized national organization. Support for this legislation is expected from health organizations, parent advocacy groups, and medical associations. Opposition has not yet been assessed. As proposed, S.B. 865 amends current law relating to instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of automated external defibrillators for school district, private school, and open-enrollment charter school employees and volunteers. 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 Sections 22.902(c) and (e), Education Code, as follows: (c) Requires each school nurse, assistant school nurse, athletic coach or sponsor, physical education instructor, marching band director, cheerleading coach, and other school employee specified by the commissioner of education and each student who serves as an athletic trainer to participate in the instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator. Requires a person described in this subsection to receive and maintain certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator from the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, or a similar nationally recognized association. Makes a nonsubstantive change. (e) Requires a private school or open-enrollment charter school to adopt a policy under which the school makes available to school employees and volunteers instruction in the principles and techniques of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator. Deletes existing text providing that this subsection applies only to a private school that receives an automated external defibrillator from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) or receives funding from TEA to purchase or lease an automated external defibrillator. SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 20252026 school year. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 865
89R6001 RAL-F By: Alvarado
Education K-16
4/14/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 865
89R6001 RAL-F
By: Alvarado
Education K-16
4/14/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
S.B. 865 aims to address the need for comprehensive training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for school employees and volunteers across Texas school districts, private schools, and open-enrollment charter schools. The primary issue being addressed by this legislation is the lack of standardized, mandatory training for individuals who are often in direct contact with students and may even be first responders in a medical emergency. Immediate intervention through CPR and AED usage increases survival rates during a medical emergency. Under current Texas law, AED instruction is not mandated for school personnel and does not require certification from nationally recognized organizations such as the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross. This proposed legislation amends existing law by explicitly requiring that school nurses, assistant school nurses, athletic coaches and sponsors, physical education instructors, marching band directors, cheerleading coaches and other specified school employees, as well as student athletic trainers, participate in both CPR and AED instruction and maintain certification from a recognized national organization.
Support for this legislation is expected from health organizations, parent advocacy groups, and medical associations. Opposition has not yet been assessed.
As proposed, S.B. 865 amends current law relating to instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of automated external defibrillators for school district, private school, and open-enrollment charter school employees and volunteers.
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 Sections 22.902(c) and (e), Education Code, as follows:
(c) Requires each school nurse, assistant school nurse, athletic coach or sponsor, physical education instructor, marching band director, cheerleading coach, and other school employee specified by the commissioner of education and each student who serves as an athletic trainer to participate in the instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator. Requires a person described in this subsection to receive and maintain certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator from the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, or a similar nationally recognized association. Makes a nonsubstantive change.
(e) Requires a private school or open-enrollment charter school to adopt a policy under which the school makes available to school employees and volunteers instruction in the principles and techniques of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator. Deletes existing text providing that this subsection applies only to a private school that receives an automated external defibrillator from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) or receives funding from TEA to purchase or lease an automated external defibrillator.
SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 20252026 school year.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.