Skip To Main Content

Desha's Law | Cardiac Emergency Response

NYSED Guidance and Resources

Memo Regarding Desha's Law- Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (8/2025)
This memo is intended to assist school districts and charter schools in meeting the requirements the amendments to Education Law §2801-a(3)(a), Education Law §§ 917 and 2801-a(2) regarding cardiac arrest procedures and automated external defibrillator (AED) equipment.

Amendments effective 1/20/26:

  • Education Law § 2801-a(2)(h) requires that the school safety training for students and staff required in the district-wide school safety plan must now include training in sudden cardiac arrest.
  • Education Law § 2801-a(2)(n), provides that district-wide school safety teams may provide voluntary first aid, CPR, and AED training to school staff, including members of the building level emergency response teams.
    • If provided, then the Education Law and Commissioner’s regulations referenced above require such training to be in accordance with Public Health Law (PHL) §3000-b.
  • Requirements for building-level emergency response plans include building and venue specific requirements and procedures that address medical needs, transportation, and emergency notification of parents/guardians in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest incident.

Resources for use when creating building level/district level Emergency Response Safety Plans

  • Medical Annex Instructions - provides instructions on the required elements that must be included specific to each school building as part of the district-wide school safety plan.
  • Sample Cardiac Emergency Response Annex - provides a sample cardiac response for districts to utilize and include in their building-level and district school safety plan

5/29/26 A Desha's Law FAQ was developed to assist school in meeting the requirements of Desha's Law by the NYS Education Department.

The FAQ includes information related to:

  • Training staff and students
  • When AEDs are required
  • CPR/AED staff training requirements

Regarding AED Requirements for Field Trips: School Nurses must follow their district-wide school safety plans for AED Requirements on Field Trips. See Question 10 in the above FAQ for additional details.

Regarding CPR/AED Training Required in NYS Schools: The training requirements for public schools must align with all the requirements of PHL 3000-b, No person may operate an AED unless they have successfully completed a training course in the operation of an automated external defibrillator consistent with standards approved by the department, including but not limited to programs developed or authorized by the department or determined by the department to be consistent with accepted standards or practice.

NYSED strongly recommends using CPR/AED training with a hands-on component. An online only course without an in person/ hands on demonstration is not best practice for school personnel, as it is a skill set that requires practice. Districts are strongly encouraged to consult their director of school health services when choosing CPR/AED courses for school personnel. See question 14 in the above FAQ for additional details.

Resources for Training Students- Although students are not to be trained as responders, they can be educated on how to recognize the need to get help and where the AEDs are located. Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is a critical medical emergency that demands swift intervention. While it often strikes unexpectedly, there are discernible signs and symptoms that, if recognized promptly, could potentially save a life. Manipal Hospitals' Sudden Cardiac Arrest- Symptoms and Causes website provides information and a graphic that may be posted in your school building. See FAQ 3 for additional information.

Resources for Training Staff- There is no required length or mode of delivery for Cardiac Emergency Response Training. Districts have the flexibility to determine the most effective format for their school.  The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training available on the NYSCSH Professional Learning Page reviews (NYSED) Laws and Regulations, what schools need to know and do concerning Desha's Law, the Dominic Murray Act, and available school resources.
See Also:

Page Updated 7/29/26