Rep. Brown's Bill to Require AEDs in Ohio Schools Passes Ohio House

COLUMBUS– State Rep. Richard Brown (D-Canal Winchester) today announced the Ohio House’s passage of bipartisan House Bill (HB) 47, which 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 proud to see Ohio help lead the way in protecting student athletes.”

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.

 The bill now moves to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.