BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4375

By: VanDeaver

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Stakeholders have expressed concerns that the current curriculum in public schools does not provide training for automated external defibrillators (AED). The sophisticated and easy-to-use medical device analyzes the heart's rhythm and delivers an electrical shock, or defibrillation, if necessary to help the heart reestablish an effective rhythm. This device, in addition to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training, which is already required instruction, may save countless lives. H.B. 4375 seeks to provide students with life-saving training by providing for required instruction in the use of an AED for students in grades 7 through 12 at a public school district or open-enrollment charter school.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the State Board of Education in SECTION 3 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 4375 amends the Education Code to expand the scope of provisions relating to the duty of a public school district or open-enrollment charter school to provide instruction to students in grades 7 through 12 in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), including the requirement for the State Board of Education (SBOE) to adopt rules for such instruction, to additionally require instruction in the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) for those students in a manner consistent with the applicable statutes and SBOE rules. The bill requires the commissioner of education, from funds appropriated or otherwise available for the purpose, to develop and award grants to districts and charter schools to assist the district or school in providing the instruction on CPR and the use of an AED.

H.B. 4375 expands the authorization for the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to accept donations for use in providing CPR instruction, and for districts to accept donations received by TEA, to provide also for the acceptance of donations for use in providing instruction in the use of an AED.

H.B. 4375 applies beginning with the 2023-2024 school year.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2023.