Legislation

* § 917-a. On-site cardiac automated external defibrillator in
nonpublic schools. 1. Nonpublic schools shall provide and maintain
on-site in each instructional school facility automated external
defibrillator (AED) equipment, as defined in paragraph (a) of
subdivision one of section three thousand-b of the public health law, in
quantities and types deemed by the commissioner in consultation with the
commissioner of health to be adequate to ensure ready and appropriate
access for use during emergencies. Nonpublic schools shall cause such
AED to be maintained and tested according to such applicable standards
of the manufacturer and any appropriate government agency.

2. Whenever nonpublic school facilities pursuant to subdivision one of
this section are used for school-sponsored or school-approved curricular
or extracurricular events or activities and whenever a school-sponsored
athletic contest is held at any location, the nonpublic school officials
and administrators responsible for such school facility or athletic
contest shall ensure the presence of at least one staff person who is
trained, pursuant to subdivision three of this section in the operation
and use of an AED. Where a school-sponsored competitive athletic event
is held at a site other than a nonpublic school facility, the nonpublic
school officials shall ensure that AED equipment is provided on-site.

3. No person may operate an AED in a nonpublic school facility unless
the person has successfully completed a training course in the operation
of an AED approved by a nationally-recognized organization as defined in
paragraph (d) of subdivision one of section three thousand-b of the
public health law or the state emergency medical services council.
However, this section shall not prohibit operation of an AED:

(a) by a health care practitioner licensed or certified under title
eight of this chapter or a person certified under article thirty of the
public health law acting within their lawful scope of practice;

(b) by a person acting pursuant to a lawful prescription; or

(c) by a person who operates the AED other than as part of or
incidental to their employment or regular duties, who is acting in good
faith, with reasonable care, and without expectation of monetary
compensation, to provide first aid that includes operation of an AED;
nor shall this section limit any good samaritan protections provided in
section three thousand-a of the public health law.

4. Every use of an AED on a patient in a nonpublic school shall be
immediately reported to the appropriate local emergency medical services
system, emergency communications center or emergency vehicle dispatch
center, as appropriate.

5. Nonpublic schools shall notify the appropriate regional emergency
services council of the existence, location and type of any AED they
possess.

6. A nonpublic school shall post a sign or notice at the main entrance
to the facility or building in which the automated external
defibrillator is stored, indicating the location where any such
automated external defibrillator is stored or maintained in such
building or facility on a regular basis.

7. (a) Operation of an AED pursuant to this section in a nonpublic
school shall be considered first aid or emergency treatment for the
purpose of any statute relating to liability; and

(b) Operation of an AED pursuant to this section in a nonpublic school
shall not constitute the unlawful practice of a profession under title
eight of this chapter.

* NB Effective July 1, 2026