HB 256 amends New Mexico’s school safety law to require every school to have an automated external defibrillator (AED) and to include cardiac emergencies during school athletic activities in its cardiac emergency response plan. The bill requires schools to identify responsible personnel, establish response protocols, determine AED placement, maintain and test the devices, and update plans using evidence-based guidelines. It also directs the Public Education Department to adopt training rules for school employees on AED use consistent with American Heart Association standards.
The bill phases in compliance by school type. Public non-charter high schools must meet the requirements by the 2026-2027 school year, while elementary schools, middle schools, charter schools, and private schools must comply by the 2027-2028 school year. It defines “school athletic activity” broadly to include school-organized sports, competitions, practices, and preparation for competition.
Impact
HB 256 expands Section 22-33-6 NMSA 1978 by adding a specific requirement that AEDs be available and accessible during school athletic activities and by strengthening school cardiac emergency planning obligations. It affects public schools, charter schools, and private schools statewide, and it places implementation and training responsibilities on schools and the Public Education Department. The bill is aimed at improving emergency response capacity for sudden cardiac arrest and similar life-threatening events on school grounds and at athletic events.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been broadly supported and noncontroversial. It passed the House 65-0 and the Senate 38-0, indicating unanimous bipartisan approval in both chambers. The committee discussion was brief and procedural, with no recorded opposition in the provided materials, suggesting general agreement with the school safety and emergency preparedness goals.
Contention
No major substantive opposition is reflected in the provided transcripts or vote totals. The main practical issues implied by the bill are implementation-related: the cost and logistics of purchasing, installing, maintaining, and testing AEDs; training school staff; and meeting the staggered compliance deadlines for different school types. Any concern would likely center on administrative burden for schools, especially private, charter, and smaller campuses, rather than on the policy itself.