The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association strongly supports the Josh Miller HEARTS Act. The bill provides schools with the equipment and training necessary to save the lives of children and adults in the education community. This legislation also requires adequate training for teachers and staff in the use of AED and encourages schools to create medical emergency response plans. The bill was introduced by Representative Betty Sutton (D-OH) and passed in the U.S. House of Representatives on June 2, 2009. It was introduced on the Senate side by Senator George Voinovich (R-OH) and Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) on June 8, 2009.
Important components of the bill include:
- Purchase of AEDs: Local education agencies may apply for the purchase of AEDs for any public or private school in their jurisdiction. Priority is given to schools without access to an AED, schools with a large student and staff population, and schools without timely access to emergency care.
- Training: The bill requires that at least 5 adults in each school should be trained and certified in CPR and the use of an AED. Funding provided by the Josh Miller HEARTS Act may be used for training in addition to the purchase of an AED.
- Medical Emergency Response Plans: S. 1197/H.R. 1380 encourages schools to create medical emergency response plans and integrate the use of an AED into such plans. The bill also requires schools to notify local emergency services personnel of the placement of the AED in their school.
- Funding: S. 1197/H.R. 1380 authorizes funding through 2013. The bill requires that the applicant provide $1 of matching funding for every $3 of federal funding.
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a leading cause of death in the United States accounting for an estimated 165,000 out-of hospital deaths per year and only 7.9 percent of victims survive. It can be successfully treated in many victims by a time electrical shock using an automated external defibrillator (AED), but time is critical. Using AEDs helps saves lives because they can help restore normal heart rhythm before emergency personnel arrive. Communities with comprehensive AED programs have achieved survival rates of 40 percent or higher.
National Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Awareness Week (June 1-7, 2009)
On December 13, 2007, Congress unanimously passed a resolution to create National CPR and AED Awareness Week. This observance occurs the first week of June each year to increase public knowledge of the use of CPR and AEDs. The Association will be hosting events, offering classes and providing educational information on the importance of being trained in CPR and AED use. For more information, visit our CPR and AED Awareness Week website.
More Information
Josh Miller HEARTS Act Bill Summary
Josh Miller HEARTS Act Co-Sponsor List
Josh Miller HEARTS Act Bill Text
AHA News Releases/Statements/Articles
AHA Statement in Response to U.S. House of Representatives Passage Josh Miller HEARTS Act
Congress Clears the Way for National CPR and AED Awareness Week
Legislation Establishing National AED/CPR Awareness Week Introduced in Congress
Other Resources
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Fact Sheet
AED Fact Sheet
Q&A on AED Programs
Back to the Advocacy Home Page
