Rep. Brown's Bill Requiring AEDs in Ohio Schools Passes Both Chambers, Heads to Governor

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Richard Brown (D-Canal Winchester) today announced the unanimous and bipartisan passage of House Bill (HB) 47 from the Ohio Senate. HB 47 will require automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to be placed in each public school, chartered non-public school, community schools, STEM schools, college-prep boarding schools, and each municipally owned or operated sports and recreation location at which organized sporting events occur.

“Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death among our young athletes. We saw firsthand with Damar Hamlin the importance of having an AED readily accessible,” said Rep. Brown. “This is an issue that has gained national attention and I’m extremely proud to have this bill pass with nearly unanimous support from both chambers and have Ohio help lead the way in protecting not only student athletes, but all students and staff who might unexpectedly experience sudden cardiac arrest.”

This legislation would:

• Require the placement of an AED in each Ohio school;
• Require each school district to provide proper training to relevant staff on AED usage;
• Require the placement of an AED at sports and recreation locations which are municipally owned or operated, at which organized sporting events occur in areas of 5,000 residents or more;
• Require coaching staff to complete annual Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) training.

HB 47 now heads to Governor DeWine’s desk for a signature to be signed into law.