OLYMPIA — A bill to require cardiac emergency response plans in Washington schools was heard Wednesday in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee.
Senate Bill 6118, sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), would require school districts, beginning in the 2026-27 school year, to develop a cardiac emergency response plan for each school and athletic facility on campus. The plans would include core, evidence-based elements such as designated response teams, automated external defibrillator (AED) placement and maintenance, staff training, and coordination with local emergency service providers.
The bill also requires schools to review and update their plans at least annually and rehearse them at least once each year.
“When a cardiac emergency happens, every second matters,” Nobles said. “This bill is about making sure our schools are prepared to respond quickly, coordinate with local emergency services, and keep students, staff, and families safe.”
“Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, at any time. When it does, every second counts,” said Chad Brown, chairperson of the American Heart Association’s Puget Sound board of directors. “When I went into cardiac arrest in 2016 my wife immediately began CPR. I was incredibly fortunate. We know that the sooner CPR is started and an AED is available, the greater the chances of survival. That’s why every school must be ready to respond. A cardiac emergency response plan isn’t optional, it’s a vital part of keeping students, staff and visitors safe.”
Follow the bill’s progress here.