Make It Make Sense: Why Are Cardiac Arrest Safety Requirements Being Considered for Removal From Indiana Schools?
- Bedford Online
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
Proposed education overhaul would remove cardiac arrest training and AED requirements.
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana House Bill 1004, introduced on January 8, 2026, proposes a wide-ranging overhaul of the state’s education laws. While much of the bill focuses on streamlining outdated rules, one provision has sparked serious concern among parents, educators, and medical professionals: it would eliminate current requirements for cardiac arrest preparedness in schools.
What Is House Bill 1004?
House Bill 1004, authored by Representatives Behning, McGuire, and Smith, is a 165-page bill that revises dozens of sections of Indiana’s education code. The bill is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026, and covers everything from school accounting practices to teacher contracts and graduation plans.
According to the bill’s summary, the goal is to remove expired, redundant, or unnecessary provisions. However, critics say one change in particular goes far beyond administrative cleanup.
The Provision Drawing the Most Concern
Section 138 of the bill would repeal Indiana Code 20-34-8-9, the law that currently requires schools to be prepared for sudden cardiac arrest.
If repealed, schools would no longer be required to:
Ensure coaches, extracurricular leaders, and certain activity sponsors complete sudden cardiac arrest training approved by the Indiana Department of Education
Have a working automated external defibrillator (AED) present at athletic events and high-risk activities
Inform staff where AEDs are located during events
Maintain venue-specific emergency action plans for cardiac emergencies
Provide liability protection for staff who act in good faith during a cardiac emergency
In short, schools could legally operate athletic and extracurricular events without trained personnel or life-saving equipment on site.
Why This Matters
Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death among young athletes. Medical research shows that survival rates increase dramatically when an AED is used within the first few minutes—jumping from under 10% to as high as 70%.
Opponents of the repeal warn that removing these requirements could lead to:
Fewer AEDs in schools, especially in districts facing budget constraints
Uneven safety standards, where some schools remain prepared and others do not
Untrained staff, unable to recognize or respond quickly to cardiac emergencies
Greater legal risk, as existing liability protections for school staff would disappear
A Selective Approach to Safety?
Critics also question why cardiac arrest preparedness is being eliminated while other safety rules remain firmly in place.
House Bill 1004 continues to enforce:
Fire codes and regular fire drills
Building safety standards and ADA compliance
Various other health and safety protocols
This selective removal has raised questions about legislative priorities. If the goal is to remove only outdated or unnecessary rules, critics ask why a requirement addressing an ongoing and well-documented health risk is being targeted.
What Medical Experts Say
Medical organizations have consistently supported AED access in schools. The American Heart Association recommends AED placement in schools and training for staff, noting that survival decreases by about 10% for every minute defibrillation is delayed.
While sudden cardiac arrest in young people is rare, it is often fatal without immediate intervention. Conditions such as undiagnosed heart abnormalities can trigger these events without warning—even in otherwise healthy students.
The Larger Question for Lawmakers
Supporters of HB 1004 argue that reducing mandates can save money and simplify administration. Opponents counter that some requirements exist for a reason—and that student safety should not be compromised in the name of efficiency.
Fire extinguishers, evacuation plans, and building codes all carry costs, yet few would argue they should be optional. Many now ask whether cardiac arrest preparedness deserves the same level of commitment.
What Happens Next
As House Bill 1004 moves through the legislative process, parents, educators, and medical professionals will be watching closely. The debate ultimately comes down to a critical question: At what point does streamlining regulation put student lives at risk?
*Note: This analysis reflects House Bill 1004 as introduced on January 8, 2026. The bill may be amended as it moves through the Indiana General Assembly.
To ensure transparency, readers are encouraged to review the full bill text directly from the Indiana General Assembly: