Is it Required for My School to Have AEDs & Bleeding Control Kits?

Life-saving tools like AEDs and bleed control kits can be used in a variety of instances, but both have common underlying goals to save lives and prevent death. With sports injuries, mass shootings, and traumatic accidents becoming more common in school systems, AEDs and bleed control kits should be necessary and accessible for students, teachers, and staff in the event an emergency does arise.  

Although some states are requiring laws around AEDs and bleeding control kits, it is not yet required in all states, however it is strongly recommended. Based on the 2023 AED Law Center and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, 26 states have AED requirements in place.  

These states include:  

• Alabama 
• Arkansas 
• California  
• Connecticut 
• Florida 
• Georgia 
• Illinois  
• Kentucky  
• Louisiana 
• Maine  
• Maryland 
• Massachusetts 
• Montana 
• Nevada 
• New Jersey 
• New York 
• North Dakota 
• Ohio 
• Oklahoma 
• Oregon 
• Pennsylvania  
• Rhode Island 
• South Carolina 
• Tennessee 
• Texas 
• West Virginia 

The American College of Surgeons (ASC) is working with elected officials to introduce legislation mandating the installation of bleeding control kits in public buildings, businesses, and especially in school systems. Several states have been successful in passing legislation and funding for Stop the Bleed programs in their schools, while other states have pending legislation.  

As of January 2023, California passing the Assembly Bill 2260 legislation, also known as the Emergency Response: Trauma Kits legislation, is the first statewide law that requires the installation of bleeding control kits in public and private buildings throughout the state.   

According to the Trauma Center Association of America, several states such as Louisiana, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas have the potential of introducing legislation, while others such as Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and New York have already introduced bills that would require installment for bleeding control kits in public schools or other government facilities. Read comprehensive list here.  

Missouri, North Carolina, and (not yet listed) Arkansas and Massachusetts introduced bills that would additionally require public schools to administer Stop the Bleed training for students and staff, which in turn would set the stage for future legislation to provide funding for kits.   

Although it’s not a requirement for both AEDs and bleed control kits to be a part of the public-school systems protocol, these tools can make a difference during an emergency, so much to save a life. We hope you never have to use them, but we want to help you keep your school communities prepared if they are needed.   

For more information about AED packages for your school or AED, CPR, and First Aid training, please contact us using our Contact Us Form.  

 

DISCLAIMER: Information and resources found on the Heartsmart website/blog is intended to educate, inform, and motivate readers to make their health and wellness decisions after consulting with their healthcare provider. The authors are not healthcare providers. NO information on this site should be used to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease or condition.