HB290 - The John Wesley Foster Act

• Requires each public and nonpublic preK-12 school to develop and implement cardiac emergency response plans beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.

• Plans must address response procedures for sudden cardiac arrest and similar life-threatening emergencies on school property, with separate plans required for schools with athletic departments or programs.

• Mandates appropriate school staff (including licensed coaches, school nurses, and athletic trainers) receive training in first aid, CPR, and automated external defibrillator (AED) use according to American Heart Association guidelines.

• Requires plans to include AED placement on school property per American Heart Association guidelines, emergency response team activation procedures, staff training maintenance, practice drills, and annual review and evaluation procedures.

• Authorizes the State Board of Education to adopt rules monitoring adherence to the act; becomes effective October 1, 2024.