HB 54 New Mexico House · 2025 Regular Session

DEFIBRILLATORS IN EVERY HIGH SCHOOL

HB 54 requires every high school in New Mexico to install an automated external defibrillator (AED) by January 1, 2026, and maintain them according to manufacturer guidelines. The bill also mandates annual AED training for all high school employees, following American Heart Association standards, to ensure staff can use the devices during cardiac emergencies. This law directly affects all public and private high schools and their employees across the state. HB 54 was signed into law on April 10, 2025, after passing both chambers of the legislature.

Issues: ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

Signed into Law

Apr 2025

Introduced Jan 8, 2025 Signed Apr 10, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

EC substitute → Final Version · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was substantially rewritten to clarify its title and scope, changing the requirement from only high schools to all schools. It now mandates that every school develop a cardiac emergency response plan and install an automated external defibrillator (AED). The definitions section was expanded to include new terms like 'stock supply' and 'trained personnel', and implementation timelines were set with a staggered approach based on school type.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded from only high schools to include all public, charter, and private schools (elementary, middle, and high schools).

REQUIREMENT

Changed the requirement from only high schools to all schools (elementary, middle, and high) to develop cardiac emergency response plans and install AEDs.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'stock supply', 'trained personnel', 'governing body', and 'health care practitioner' to clarify responsibilities and equipment standards.

TIMELINE

Established specific implementation deadlines: public non-charter high schools by the 2026-2027 school year, and all other schools by the 2027-2028 school year.

ELIGIBILITY

Expanded eligibility for AED installation and response plan requirements to include elementary and middle schools, not just high schools.

TECHNICAL

Added requirements for routine maintenance of AEDs and training of school employees consistent with American Heart Association standards.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 18, 2025 · House Mar 7, 2025

How they voted

24–0

Passed · 16 other

Total votes 40

Mar 18, 2025

D Democratic24

16 Yea 8

66% Yea

R Republican16

8 Yea 8

50% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 10, 2025

Signed into law

Signed

executive

Mar 19, 2025

Executive · Passed

House concurred in Senate amendments

executive

Mar 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

passed Senate

upper

Mar 16, 2025

Upper · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

upper

Mar 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

DO PASS, as amended, committee report adopted

upper

Mar 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

passed House

lower

Mar 7, 2025

Introduced

Sent to Senate Education Committee & Senate Finance Committee

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Lower · Passed

DO NOT PASS, replaced with committee substitute

lower

Jan 30, 2025

Lower · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

lower

Jan 22, 2025

Introduced

Sent to House Health & Human Services Committee & House Education Committee

lower

Jan 8, 2025

Introduced

Sent to House Pre-file

lower

4 primary · 0 co-sponsors