An Act concerning sudden cardiac events and schools and supplementing Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
C.18A:40-41a Schools required to have automated external defibrillator.
1. a. Notwithstanding the provisions of any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, beginning on September 1, 2014, the board of education of a public school district and the governing board or chief school administrator of a nonpublic school that includes any of the grades kindergarten through 12 shall ensure that:
(1) each public or nonpublic school has an automated external defibrillator, as defined in section 2 of P.L.1999, c.34 (C.2A:62A-24), which is made available in an unlocked location on school property with an appropriate identifying sign. The defibrillator shall be accessible during the school day and any other time when a school-sponsored athletic event or team practice is taking place in which pupils of the district or nonpublic school are participating. The defibrillator shall be within reasonable proximity of the school athletic field or gymnasium, as applicable;
(2) a team coach, licensed athletic trainer, or other designated staff member if there is no coach or licensed athletic trainer, who is present during the athletic event or team practice, is trained in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and the use of the defibrillator in accordance with the provisions of section 3 of P.L.1999, c.34 (C.2A:62A-25). A school district or nonpublic school shall be deemed to be in compliance with this requirement if a State-certified emergency services provider or other certified first responder is on site at the event or practice; and
(3) each defibrillator is tested and maintained according to the manufacturer's operational guidelines and notification is provided to the appropriate first aid, ambulance, or rescue squad or other appropriate emergency medical services provider regarding the defibrillator, the type acquired, and its location in accordance with section 3 of P.L.1999, c.34 (C.2A:62A-25).
b. A school district or nonpublic school and its employees shall be immune from civil liability in the acquisition and use of defibrillators pursuant to the provisions of section 5 of P.L.1999, c.34 (C.2A:62A-27).
C.18A:40-41b Emergency action plan.
2. a. The board of education of a public school district and the governing body or chief school administrator of a nonpublic school that includes any of the grades kindergarten through 12 shall establish and implement an emergency action plan for responding to a sudden cardiac event including, but not limited to, an event in which the use of an automated external defibrillator may be necessary.
b. The emergency action plan shall be consistent with the provisions of section 1 of this act and also, at minimum, include the following:
(1) a list of no less than five school employees, team coaches, or licensed athletic trainers who hold current certifications from the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or other training program recognized by the Department of Health and Senior Services, in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and in the use of a defibrillator. The list shall be updated, as necessary, at least once in each semester of the school year; and
(2) detailed procedures on responding to a sudden cardiac event including, but not limited to, the identification of the persons in the school who will be responsible for: responding to the person experiencing the sudden cardiac event, calling 911, starting cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, retrieving and using the defibrillator, and assisting emergency responders in getting to the individual experiencing the sudden cardiac event.
C.18A:40-41c Rules, regulations.
3. The State Board of Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, and in accordance with the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), shall adopt rules and regulations as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this act.
4. This act shall take effect immediately.
Approved September 19, 2012.