North Carolina Lawmakers Advance Bills Requiring AEDs in All Public Schools
Lawmakers advance bipartisan bills requiring life-saving defibrillators in schools after survivors share their stories at the state capitol.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA — North Carolina lawmakers are advancing legislation to require automated external defibrillators in every public school across the state, inspired by the experiences of survivors whose lives were saved by these devices.
Former East Carolina University track athlete Hailey Yentz went 10 minutes without a pulse after collapsing in a campus weight room before athletic trainers revived her with four shocks from an automated external defibrillator. On Wednesday, Yentz joined lawmakers and medical professionals at the Legislative Building in Raleigh to support the proposed legislation.
“What most of us aren’t usually thinking about when we walk into a building is that the people around us and the equipment in that building could determine whether we live or die,” Yentz said.
House Passes Bipartisan Legislation
The House has approved its version of the legislation, the Rep. Becky Carney Cardiac Arrest Act, by a 111-1 vote with bipartisan support. The bill would mandate at least one automated external defibrillator in every public school and require CPR and defibrillator training for school personnel.
The legislation is named after Rep. Becky Carney (D-Mecklenburg), whose life was saved by an AED after she collapsed inside the Legislative Building in 2009.
Senate Bill Proposes Stricter Requirements
A separate Senate bill, S278, establishes more comprehensive requirements for schools. The legislation would mandate that schools develop cardiac emergency response plans, establish response teams, conduct annual drills and coordinate with local emergency medical providers.
The Senate bill also requires AEDs to be positioned so they can be reached and used within three minutes. The measure has not yet received a hearing in committee.
Advocates are also seeking $2 million in the state budget to help schools purchase AEDs and train school staff on their proper use.
Survey Reveals Coverage Gaps
A North Carolina Department of Public Instruction survey from the 2023-24 school year identified gaps in AED coverage across the state. Emma Kate Burns, government relations director for the American Heart Association in North Carolina, said the survey found 99% of schools reported having at least one AED, but five counties reported at least one school without a device.
Supporters pointed to cardiac arrests that occurred in schools during the same school year as evidence supporting the legislation. They cited data from the American Heart Association showing 13 cardiac arrests on North Carolina school campuses, with six involving children.
The push for mandatory AEDs reflects growing awareness of sudden cardiac arrest risks in school settings and the importance of immediate response capability. Medical experts emphasize that survival rates drop significantly for each minute that passes without defibrillation treatment.
The House-passed legislation now awaits consideration in the Senate, while the more comprehensive Senate bill continues working through the committee process.
