North Carolina's Smart Heart Act: Pushing for Life-Saving AEDs in Every School

Today, May 29, 2026, marks a pivotal moment in North Carolina as advocates for the 'Smart Heart Act' intensify their push for life-saving Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in every public school across the state. This vital legislation, gaining significant traction, aims to equip schools not just with critical devices but also with comprehensive emergency response plans and trained staff, ensuring that every student, teacher, and visitor has the best possible chance of survival in the face of a sudden cardiac emergency.

The Silent Threat: Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Schools

While often associated with adults, sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a tragically real and often fatal event for children and adolescents. It occurs when the heart's electrical activity becomes chaotic, leading to an abrupt stop in effective blood pumping. Without immediate intervention, brain damage and death can occur rapidly. Heartwarming stories of survival, like those of athletes Damar Hamlin and Hailey Yentz, underscore the critical importance of preparedness.

Alarmingly, SCA is the leading medical cause of death among NCAA athletes and can strike 7,000 children and teens every year in the United States. Even more sobering, a 15-year study by the American Heart Association (AHA) revealed that approximately 90% of sudden cardiac arrests in schools occur among adults, including faculty, staff, and visitors. This highlights that school-based CPR and AED programs benefit everyone on campus, not just students.

North Carolina has experienced this reality firsthand. Two years ago, 13 North Carolina students suffered cardiac arrest while at school, and one tragically died. More recently, during the 2023-2024 school year, six students experienced cardiac arrest in schools, with one fatality reported in Roanoke Rapids [5]. These statistics serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for robust cardiac emergency preparedness in our educational institutions.

Understanding the 'Smart Heart Act'

The 'Smart Heart Act' encompasses two key legislative efforts: Senate Bill 278 (SB 278) and House Bill 886 (HB 886). Both bills share a common, critical goal: to mandate that all public schools in North Carolina are prepared to respond effectively to sudden cardiac emergencies.

Key Provisions of the Proposed Legislation:

• Mandatory AEDs: The act requires the placement of at least one Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in every public school, including traditional public schools, charter schools, regional schools, and schools for the deaf and blind. These devices must be easily accessible, unlocked, and positioned for use within three minutes, accompanied by clear signage.
• Comprehensive Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs): Each public school unit would be required to develop and annually review and update a comprehensive CERP. This plan is designed to guide school personnel in responding to sudden cardiac arrest or similar life-threatening emergencies on school grounds [7].
• Cardiac Emergency Response Teams: Schools must establish a dedicated cardiac emergency response team and outline clear protocols for activating this team during a cardiac emergency.
• Staff Training: The legislation mandates annual CPR and AED training for designated school staff, specifically including school nurses and faculty members who hold supervisory responsibilities over students in any athletic situation.
• Practice Drills: To ensure readiness, annual practice drills for the response team are a required component of the CERP.
• EMS Integration: School officials are required to collaborate directly with local emergency service providers to integrate their CERP into the community's existing EMS responder protocols.

Legislative Journey and Current Status

As of today, May 29, 2026, the 'Smart Heart Act' is actively moving through the legislative process. Senate Bill 278, authored by Republican Sens. Kevin Corbin and Bobby Hanig, was filed on March 13 of last year (2025) and is currently awaiting a vote in the Senate Appropriations/Base Budget Committee [6]. The House version, HB 886, passed the House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support (111-1) on May 7 of last year (2025) but has been held in the Senate Rules Committee since [9].

Both bills seek to ensure AED accessibility and placement, with the House version initially requesting $4.1 million and the Senate proposing $2 million in nonrecurring funding to help schools purchase AEDs and develop their emergency response plans. The North Carolina state budget, which was slated for July 1, 2025, is currently under negotiation, with a budget framework announced on May 12, making the funding aspect of the 'Smart Heart Act' a key point of discussion. If enacted, the requirements would become effective on July 1, 2025, applying to the 2025-2026 school year [7].

Why AEDs are Non-Negotiable: The Power of Immediate Action

The science is clear: early defibrillation and CPR are paramount for survival from sudden cardiac arrest. Every minute that passes without a shock from an AED, the chance of survival decreases by 10% [1]. Conversely, immediate CPR can double or even triple survival rates, and access to an AED can increase survival by a staggering 70% [11].

Consider these compelling statistics on the impact of AEDs in schools:

These numbers paint a vivid picture of the difference an AED can make. In a study focused on New York schools, where nearly 96% of schools had at least one AED, 84.3% of SCA cases saw an AED applied, resulting in 40 individuals achieving long-term survival. Furthermore, studies indicate that individuals without prior CPR or AED training can effectively use an AED due to their user-friendly design and clear voice prompts [1]. North Carolina also has a Good Samaritan law, protecting individuals who provide emergency care, including CPR or AED use, during a cardiac arrest.

Voices of Advocacy: Survivors and Champions

The push for the 'Smart Heart Act' is driven by powerful voices, including survivors, medical professionals, and dedicated advocates:

• Hailey Yentz: A former East Carolina University athlete, Hailey experienced cardiac arrest during a workout in February 2025. Her survival is directly attributed to her athletic trainers who, equipped with an AED, knew how to act. Now, living with a pacemaker and defibrillator due to a rare genetic heart condition (ARVC), Hailey passionately advocates for the bill, emphasizing that cardiac emergencies can strike anyone, anywhere, without warning [4].
• Adeline Dinin: A 10-year-old student from Durham, Adeline carries an AED with her everywhere due to a congenital heart condition. She spoke at a news conference, highlighting that "every kid can experience a cardiac emergency. Not just kids with heart conditions."
• Denny Kellington: The Vice President of Player Health and Performance for the NFL's Carolina Panthers, Kellington is famously credited with saving the life of NFL player Damar Hamlin in 2023. He recently spoke in favor of the 'Smart Heart Act,' stressing the immeasurable impact of preparedness: "Immediate CPR can double or triple survival rates, and access to an AED can increase survival 70%, but only with a clear plan in place. The Smart Heart Act ensures schools are ready to act."
• Emma Kate Burns: As the government relations director for the American Heart Association in North Carolina, Burns champions the bill to ensure "that every child is safe at a school in the event of a cardiac emergency... and that they have the best chance of coming home to their families."
• Sophia Kellstrom: Miss North Carolina 2025, through her partnership with the American Heart Association, noted that parents place immense trust in schools, and the 'Smart Heart Act' is an opportunity to strengthen that trust by ensuring schools are equipped and trained.
• Guilford College Students: Students like Grayson Hale, Juliana Walter, Ben Finkelstein, Danny Santos, Micah Wilson, and Abigail Whelan have conducted research and actively advocated for SB 278, recognizing that while many schools have AEDs, preparedness and training vary widely, creating critical gaps.

Addressing the Gaps in Preparedness

While Emma Kate Burns from the American Heart Association states that 99% of schools in North Carolina have at least one AED, a recent NC Department of Public Instruction survey (2023-2024 school year) identified five counties where at least one school lacked an AED: Wake, Martin, Hertford, Haywood, and Gaston. Furthermore, the Guilford College student research highlighted that the deeper issue isn't just the presence of AEDs, but the consistency of training and emergency response plans. Schools with AEDs are 3.5 times more likely to ensure access to early defibrillation (within 3-5 minutes) and nearly 2 times more likely to have an Emergency Action Plan. The 'Smart Heart Act' directly addresses these disparities by mandating comprehensive CERPs, training, and drills.

The Broader Impact on Community Health

The 'Smart Heart Act' aligns with North Carolina's broader commitment to improving cardiovascular care. The state already boasts the largest statewide system of emergency cardiovascular care through the RACE CARS program (Regional Approach to Cardiovascular Emergencies Cardiac Arrest Resuscitation System), which coordinates hospitals and EMS agencies to rapidly treat heart attacks and sudden cardiac arrest. This includes community education initiatives and partnerships with youth and school organizations, striving to reduce disparities in SCA treatment across various demographics. The 'Smart Heart Act' would significantly enhance these efforts by integrating schools more formally into the statewide emergency response framework.

Conclusion: A Heartbeat for Every School

The 'Smart Heart Act' is more than just a legislative proposal; it's a profound commitment to the health and safety of every individual within North Carolina's school system. As advocates continue their push today, May 29, 2026, the message is clear: preparedness saves lives. By ensuring that every school is equipped with AEDs, has trained personnel, and maintains a clear, practiced emergency response plan, North Carolina can create a safer environment where potential cardiac tragedies are met with immediate, life-saving action. It’s an investment in our future, ensuring that our children and educators can learn and thrive without the unnecessary fear of a preventable loss. Let's hope the legislature listens to the smart hearts of North Carolina and passes this vital act.

Featured image by Mark Stebnicki on Pexels