HB 191 Pennsylvania House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in certification of teachers, repealing provisions relating to CPR instruction; and, in school health services, repealing provisions relating to automatic external defibrillators and providing for AED and CPR instruction and procedure, for Automated External Defibrillator Program and for availability and specifications of automated external defibrillators.

HB 191 updates Pennsylvania's school safety requirements by replacing outdated rules about CPR and defibrillator training. It repeals old teacher certification requirements for CPR instruction and school health service rules about automatic external defibrillators (AEDs). The bill now mandates new CPR and AED training for school staff, sets specific standards for AED availability and placement in schools, and establishes an official AED program. This directly affects public schools, teachers, and school health personnel by requiring updated emergency response protocols. The bill focuses on modernizing school health safety procedures rather than changing other aspects of education.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Jun 2025

House Passage

Jun 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 16, 2025 Last action Jun 18, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Printer's No. PN1646 → Printer's No. PN1840 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill update removes the requirement for private schools to participate in the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) program, limiting the mandate to public school entities and nonpublic schools. It also adds new requirements for maintaining AEDs, defines specific emergency personnel roles, and clarifies that the bill does not create new liability for schools.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed by removing 'private schools' from the list of institutions required to have AEDs and provide CPR instruction, while expanding the definition of eligible emergency responders.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed the requirement for 'private schools' to participate in the AED program and provide CPR instruction, restricting the mandate to school entities and nonpublic schools.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new requirement for schools to ensure all AEDs are properly tested and maintained according to manufacturer guidelines and Department of Health specifications.

Modified the instruction delivery clause to remove the option for private schools, aligning it with the narrowed scope of eligible institutions.

DEFINITION

Added a detailed list of specific emergency personnel roles (e.g., paramedics, prehospital nurses) that count toward the requirement of having trained staff present during athletic activities.

ENFORCEMENT

Added an explicit clause stating that the section does not create any liability or cause of action against schools or their employees.

Floor votes · House Jun 9, 2025

How they voted

169–33

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 203

Jun 9, 2025

D Democratic102

102 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican101

67 Yea 33 Nay 1

66% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 18, 2025

Committee

Referred to Education

upper

Jun 9, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third consideration and final passage

lower

Jun 9, 2025

Lower · Passed

Re-reported as committed

lower

Jun 4, 2025

Committee

Re-committed to Appropriations

lower

May 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported as amended

lower

Jan 16, 2025

Committee

Referred to Education

lower

1 primary · 26 co-sponsors