Identical bills in the Missouri House and Senate would require public schools to develop cardiac emergency response plans starting in the fall of 2026. Sen. Kurtis Gregory, R-Marshall, said that Automated External Defibrillators, or AED’s, would be required throughout the school campuses, especially in athletic venues.
“Just in the summary, it says for schools with an athletic department or organized school athletic program, an AED shall be clearly marked and easily accessible in an unlocked location at each athletic venue and event,” said Gregory. “Then the AED shall be accessible during the school day and any school sponsored athletic event or team practice.”
The bill would require school personnel, including coaches, nurses and trainers, to be certified in first aid, CPR, and AED use.
Gregory’s bill was inspired by Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin, who suffered cardiac arrest during a football game against the Cincinnati Bengals two years ago.
“He took a direct shot to the chest and for all intents and purposes he died on the field,” he said. “I think that’s very well documented. Seeing him on the field this year, like, it’s not even being talked about because he had highly trained staff, obviously in the NFL that knew what they were doing. Doctors that knew how to use an AED and utilized that to bring him back to life.”
Gregory says a similar incident happened 19 years ago involving a radio sports announcer in his hometown of Marshall – KMMO’s Greg Schmidt suffered a heart attack on May 15, 2006, and an AED brought him back to life.
Rep. Sherri Gallick, R-Belton, is the sponsor of an identical bill in the House of Representatives. She said this saves lives.
“There’s not just students, there’s not just teachers in a school,” she said. “There are janitors. There, when you have a school board meeting, there’s the public. This encompasses any facet of a school activity, and it requires a plan.”
Another companion bill has been filed in the Senate by Sen. Tracy McCreery, D-Olivette.
© 2025, Missourinet.