Compression-Only CPR/AED training for all High School Students: SB 945

Our public comment in support of Senate Bill 945, which would mandated Compression-Only CPR/AED training as a high school graduation requirement throughout the state.

ABOUT THE BILL

The full bill text can be view here.

COMMENTARY from CCCPR

This bill will save lives - plain and simple.

Early compression-only CPR and AED use increase survival rate for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) by 2 or 3x. Given that seven out of ten cardiac arrests happen in the home, equipping high schoolers with this training will make a profound and lasting impact on the wellbeing of families and communities statewide. That said, there are some reasonable concerns one may have, especially as a parent.

1) Do I want my child to try to perform CPR on me or another family member? What about a stranger? What is the psychological impact... especially if it doesn't work?

This a real and reasonable concern. Statistically, if someone needs CPR, their chance of survival is potentially grim. That said, with the right expectation and training, high schoolers should understand that although it doesn't always work, we are giving them the best chance possible.

We should also remember Bessel van der Kolk's illuminating research on Post Traumatic Stress (PTS). In his book, The Body Keeps the Score, he explains that people who actively help during an emergency are generally less likely to develop PTSD compared to those who feel helpless, paralyzed, or passive. Active engagement in rescue or care helps process the trauma, while helpless inaction allows the stress to be stored internally.

By equipping the youth across our state with CPR/AED training, we not only are giving the patient a better chance of survival, but giving the students a powerful tool for their own healing, should they ever be witness to sudden cardiac arrest.

2) Who pays for it?

Another real and reasonable question, since there are absolutely costs associated with CPR/AED training. Instructors, mannikins, AED trainers, and certifications all cost money. And although some schools are already providing this training and may have a budget for it, it is very possible that others do not.

Luckily, the bill stipulates that any costs incurred by a school to fulfill this mandate must be reimbursed by the state. So in essence, the cost falls on the tax payers... but in a state with less than 10% survival rate for SCA, this seems like a worthy investment.

We will be following SB 945 closely in the coming weeks, and we hope you do what you can to support it as well!

BILL TEXT:

"Introduced by Senator Weber Pierson

February 02, 2026

An act to amend Section 51225.6 of the Education Code, relating to pupil instruction.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SB 945, as introduced, Weber Pierson. Pupil instruction: cardiopulmonary resuscitation: automated external defibrillators.

Existing law requires the governing board of a school district or the governing body of a charter school that requires a course in health education for graduation from high school to include instruction in performing compression-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), as provided.

Existing law also encourages those entities to provide to pupils general information on the use and importance of an automated external defibrillators (AED). Existing law further requires the State Department of Education to provide guidance on how to implement these provisions, including, but not limited to, who may provide instruction.

This bill would instead require, commencing with the 2027–28 school year, the governing board of a school district or the governing body of a charter school that maintains any of grades 9 to 12, inclusive, to provide instruction in performing compression-only CPR and how to use an AED as part of a course required for graduation. The bill would also require the department to provide guidance on how to implement these provisions before the commencement of the 2027–28 school year.

By imposing additional duties on local educational agencies, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Digest Key

Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: YES  

Bill Text:

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section 51225.6 of the Education Code is amended to read:

51225.6.

 (a) If Commencing with the 2027–28 school year, the governing board of a school district or the governing body of a charter school requires a course in health education for graduation from high school, the governing board of a school district or the governing body of a charter school shall include, commencing with the 2018–19 school year, maintaining any of grades 9 to 12, inclusive, shall provide instruction in performing compression-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). (CPR) and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) as part of a course required for graduation. This instruction shall include both all of the following:

(1) An instructional program based on national evidence-based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines for the performance of compression-only CPR, such as those developed by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.

(2) Instruction to pupils relative to the psychomotor skills necessary to perform compression-only CPR. For purposes of this paragraph, “psychomotor skills” means skills that pupils are required to perform as hands-on practice to support cognitive learning.

(3) (A) Instruction to pupils on the use and importance of an AED.

(B) If no AED is available, subparagraph (A) may be satisfied through the use of free, online video resources.

(b) Before the commencement of the 2017–18 2027–28 school year, the department shall provide guidance on how to implement this section, including, but not limited to, who may provide instruction pursuant to this section.

(c)The governing board of a school district or the governing body of a charter school is encouraged to provide to pupils general information on the use and importance of an automated external defibrillator (AED). The physical presence of an AED in the classroom is not required.

(d)

(c) The governing board of a school district or the governing body of a charter school may adopt policies to implement this section.

(e)

(d) (1) The governing board of a school district or the governing body of a charter school providing instruction in performing compression-only CPR or information on and the use of an AED pursuant to this section is encouraged to use the most cost-effective means possible to implement that requirement.

(2) This section shall not be construed to require the governing board of a school district or the governing body of a charter school to make any purchases, including, but not limited to, purchasing an AED.

(f)

(e) (1) A local agency, entity of state or local government, or other public or private organization that sponsors, authorizes, supports, finances, or supervises the instruction of pupils in compression-only CPR or the use of an AED pursuant to this section shall not be liable for any civil damages alleged to result from the acts or omissions of an individual who received such that instruction.

(2) A public employee who provides or facilitates the instruction of pupils in compression-only CPR or the use of an AED pursuant to this section shall not be liable for any civil damages alleged to result from the acts or omissions of an individual who received such that instruction.

(3) This subdivision shall not be construed to grant immunity from civil damages to any person who provides or facilitates the instruction of pupils in compression-only CPR or the use of an AED in a manner that constitutes gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.

SEC. 2.

If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code."