Posted 5/23/24

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed the Smart Heart Act this week, legislation that requires automatic defibrillators in schools and establishes response protocols for cardiac-related medical emergencies.

The Smart Heart Act requires each public and nonpublic school serving grades nine through twelve to maintain an automated external defibrillator that is accessible during the school day and during all school athletic activities.

Additionally, these schools must establish, review, and annually practice an athletics emergency action plan for responding to students who sustain cardiac arrests or other life-threatening injuries while participating in school athletic activities. The legislation also ensures that appropriate personnel on and off the field, including coaches, are trained in CPR and automatic defibrillators.