In a landmark move to improve emergency preparedness in schools, Montana has passed House Bill 869, a new law requiring the establishment of Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs) at school athletic facilities and events.
“Montana schools will now be equipped to handle cardiac emergencies,” said Riley Ungaretti, president of the Montana Athletic Trainers' Association (MTATA), who testified in support of the bill. “This policy is focused on the safety and well-being of our children.”
The new law ensures that every school athletic venue has access to three key elements: a rehearsed emergency plan, AEDs onsite or nearby, and CPR/AED training for key personnel. These components, according to experts, can increase survival rates by over 50%.
Jackie Semmens, Montana government relations director for the American Heart Association, praised the bipartisan support for the measure.
“This is truly lifesaving work,” she said. “We know that implementing these response plans can protect and save the lives of students, staff, and visitors.”
The bill also includes a grant program to help schools purchase AEDs, further supporting the rollout of CERPs statewide. Kenneth Edmonds of the NFL, a founding member of the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, called the law “a victory for the health and safety of young people across the state.”
Ungaretti added:
“Ideally, every school would have an Athletic Trainer on staff. Until then, this bill ensures schools are prepared to save lives.”
The American Heart Association hopes this initiative will support its goal of doubling cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030. Read more here!