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-HOUSE BILL 256
-57TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - SECOND SESSION, 2026
-INTRODUCED BY
-Pamelya Herndon and Yanira Gurrola and D. Wonda Johnson
-and Patricia Roybal Caballero
-AN ACT
-RELATING TO SCHOOL SAFETY; REQUIRING AUTOMATED EXTERNAL
-DEFIBRILLATORS TO BE AVAILABLE DURING ALL SCHOOL ATHLETIC
-ACTIVITIES.
-BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
-SECTION 1.  Section 22-33-6 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2025,
-Chapter 129, Section 3) is amended to read:
-"22-33-6.  CARDIAC EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN--AUTOMATED
-EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR.--
-A.  Each school shall develop and implement a
-cardiac emergency response plan that addresses the appropriate
-use of school personnel who are to respond to incidents
-involving a person experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest or a
-similar life-threatening emergency while on school grounds or
-during a school athletic activity.  Each cardiac emergency
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-response plan shall:
-(1)  be developed and implemented using core
-elements that are nationally recognized and evidence-based;
-(2)  identify specific school personnel who
-will take action when a person experiences a sudden cardiac
-arrest or a similar life-threatening emergency;
-(3)  establish protocols for school personnel
-identified by the cardiac emergency response plan to follow
-when a person experiences a sudden cardiac arrest or a similar
-life-threatening emergency;
-(4)  determine [an] appropriate [location]
-locations for [an] automated external [defibrillator]
-defibrillators to be installed or made available;
-(5)  provide for routine maintenance of the
-automated external defibrillator; and
-(6)  be updated when necessary to be consistent
-with evidence-based guidelines.
-B.  Every school in the state shall install an
-automated external defibrillator.  Installed automated external
-defibrillators shall be maintained and tested according to the
-manufacturer's operational guidelines.
-C.  An automated external defibrillator shall be
-clearly marked and easily accessible during each school
-athletic activity.
-[C.  No later than January 1, 2026] D.  The
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-department shall adopt and promulgate rules for the training of
-school employees on the use of automated external
-defibrillators in a manner consistent with standards adopted by
-the American heart association.
-[D.] E.  The requirements of Subsections A and B of
-this section shall be fulfilled by all:
-(1)  public non-charter high schools no later
-than the 2026-2027 school year; and
-(2)  elementary schools, middle schools,
-charter schools and private schools no later than the 2027-2028
-school year.
-F.  As used in this section, "school athletic
-activity" means a sport or activity organized by a school or
-school district that involves a physical game or competition
-against another team, club or entity or practice or preparation
-for the physical game or competition."
-- 3 -
-.233332.1
+LESC bill analyses are available on the New Mexico Legislature website (www.nmlegis.gov).  Bill analyses are
+prepared by LESC staff for standing education committees of the New Mexico Legislature.  LESC does not assume
+any responsibility for the accuracy of these reports if they are used for other purposes.
+
+LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE
+BILL ANALYSIS
+57th Legislature, 2nd Session, 2026
+
+Bill Number  HB256   Sponsor Herndon/Gurrola/Johnson
+
+Tracking Number  .233332.1 Committee Referrals  HHHC/HEC
+
+Short Title  Defibrillators at School Athletic Events
+  Original Date 2/4/2026
+Analyst  Hicks Last Updated  2/12/2026
+
+BILL SUMMARY
+
+Synopsis of Bill
+
+House Bill 256 (HB256)  would amend the Public School  Code to require schools’ cardiac
+emergency response plans  provide information on the appropriate response to sudden cardiac
+arrest or other life -threatening emergencies during school athletic activities . HB256 would also
+establish a definition for school athletic activities  and require automatic external defibrillators
+(AEDs) to be clearly marked and accessible during school athletic events.
+
+HB256 is accompanied by House Executive Message No. 64.
+
+HB256 does not contain an effective date and, as a result, would go into effect 90 days after the
+Legislature adjourns, or May 20, 2026.
+
+FISCAL IMPACT
+
+HB256 does not contain an appropriation.
+
+SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES
+
+2025 Legislation on AEDs. During the 2025 legislative session, lawmakers passed, and the
+governor signed, Laws 2025, Chapter 129 (House Bill 54) . This law phases in a requirement for
+all schools in New Mexico, both public and private, to adopt cardiac emergency response plans
+and install AEDs on school premises. By the 2027- 2028 school year, all schools in New Mexico
+must have a cardiac emergency response plan in place and an AED onsite. This law did not have
+an accompanying appropriation to provide funding for schools to purchase AEDs.
+
+In December 2025, the Public Education Department (PED) amended New Mexico Administrative
+Code 6.60.11 to align with Laws 2025, Chapter 129. This amendment added new training
+requirements for school personnel identified in a school’s cardiac emergency response plan and
+provided guidance to schools based on the recommendations of the American Heart Association ,
+an organization focused on promoting cardiovascular health.
+
+HB256 – Page 2
+
+Youth Cardiac Events. According to the American Heart Association, anywhere from 7,000 to
+23 thousand cardiac arrests  each year occur in children nationwide. About 39 percent of these
+youth cardiac arrests are sports related. When cardiac events occur, the length of time until
+defibrillation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) begin is crucial for an individual’s chance
+of survival. According to the American Red Cross, a nonprofit humanitarian organization focused
+on disaster relief and emergency assistance, a person’s chance of survival declines by about 10
+percent for every minute CPR and defibrillation are delayed.
+
+ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS
+
+PED would need to dedicate staff time to reviewing cardiac emergency response plans to verify
+schools comply with the additional content requirements outlined in HB256.
+
+Schools in New Mexico would need to update their cardiac emergency response plans to provide
+information about responding to sudden cardiac arrest or other emergencies during school athletic
+events. Schools would also need to ensure AEDs are clearly marked and accessible during these
+events.
+
+OTHER SIGNIFICANT ISSUES
+
+AED Costs. The cost of a single AED unit can range from $1,200 to $4,000. Additionally, AEDs
+require maintenance, including replacing batteries and electrical shock pads. Battery prices can
+range anywhere from $69 to $300, while pads cost $40 to $100 and should be replaced after each
+use or upon expiration.
+
+RELATED BILLS
+
+Relates to SB123, Defibrillators in Schools, which would provide funding to schools to purchase,
+install, test, and maintain AEDs.
+
+SOURCES OF INFORMATION
+• LESC Files
+• Regional Education Cooperatives (RECs)
+• Department of Health (DOH)
+• Public Education Department (PED)
+
+CLH/mam/mca/jkh