Kansas school boards are working to implement a new bill passed in 2024 requiring that each district adopt a comprehensive cardiac emergency response plan (CERP). The plan must include policies and procedures for each attendance center operated by the school district and for off campus activities.

District plans must be based on statewide standards adopted by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), which are expected to be in place this fall. KASB, the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE), and the American Heart Association have been working with KDHE to implement the new law.

“The intent is to save lives through proactive planning, coordination with first responders, rapid response, and access to a defibrillator when someone at a school or school-sponsored event experiences a cardiac emergency,” said KDHE spokesperson Jill Bronaugh.

A Near Tragedy, a District’s Response and Legislative Action

On July 16, 2023, Emporia student Reagan Herrman was participating in the Sunflower State Games at Washburn University in Topeka when she left the game to catch her breath before collapsing. “She was unresponsive and turning blue,” said her mother, Amanda Herrman. “Several heroic people leapt into action. They called 911, began CPR, and ran to get an automated external defibrillator (AED). She received two full cycles of compressions, and one shock was delivered. After a terrifying four minutes, Reagan began breathing.”

Reagan was diagnosed with an inherited cardiac condition that causes sudden rhythm disturbances in otherwise healthy children. “Often, there are no signs of heart problems until cardiac arrest,” Amanda said. “Reagan survived because people knew what to do, but that is not always the case.” 

Spurred by the incident, Reagan’s home school district, Emporia USD 253 implemented cardiac emergency response training, equipment, plans, procedures, and drills. “I think we are ahead of the game implementing the law, because we wanted to do it, not because we had to do it,” said Jared Giffin, Director of Human Resources for Emporia schools.

Reagan Herrman’s story turned out well but not everyone is as fortunate when necessary resources are unavailable. In hearings before the House Committee on Education last January, several family members, the American Heart Association, the Kansas EMS Association, the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA), school nurses, and other health care providers testified in favor of the law requiring cardiac emergency responses plans. 

Requirements of the Law

Under the new law, each school district must submit a copy of their adopted cardiac emergency response plan to the secretary of KDHE. Boards are required to annually review these plans and adopt changes they deem necessary. 

In addition to the adopting the plan and reviewing it annually, districts must do the following:

• Establish a cardiac emergency response team and provide necessary training.
• Place AED’s in appropriate locations and conduct routine maintenance.
• Delineate roles and responsibilities of those who may be involved in implementing the plan during an incident. 
• Establish procedures to follow when responding to incidents. 
• Conduct annual simulation rehearsal of the CERP by specific personnel.
• Develop a cardiac emergency action plan for sponsored events held off school property. 

Components of the Bill and Resources Available for School Districts

The law adds new requirements specifically for cardiac emergency response, but there are existing requirements that districts can build on. “Every district is required to have a safe and secure schools plan,” said KSDE Deputy Commissioner Frank Harwood. “They are required to do annual crisis drills. One of those you can do is a medical emergency type drill.” Many of those steps will match up with cardiac emergency plan requirements. KSHSAA already requires that all coaches and associated staff be trained in CPR and AED use. KSHSAA also provides crisis plan protocol and sets expectations for schools hosting activities. 

Project ADAM, which worked with Emporia, is a national organization that helps schools and others connect with the resources needed for the initial response to a Sudden Cardiac Arrest. Children’s Mercy Kansas City will assist schools in earning the Heart Safe designation through school-based CPR and AED programs and creating an emergency plan.

Based on input from KSDE and KASB, the tentative due date for plans is July 31, 2025. To assist districts, KASB shared recommended policy in June. More information regarding compliance will be shared with members after the KDHE adopts standards and other guidance.

Additional resources to assist local districts are expected to be provided by KDHE when final standards are adopted. KDHE is developing a website for easy access to the CERP standards and other resources such as templates.

The new law does not provide implementation funding. While Safe and Secure School grants may be used for AED’s, current year funds have already been awarded. District requests are typically three times the available amount. The State Board has requested an increase but the Legislature makes the determination.

Harwood noted that a school district’s cardiac emergency response plan does not have to be fully implemented immediately. For example, a district may set a goal for a certain number of AEDs, realizing it may take several years to fully implement that goal if funding is not immediately available.