2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle G - Safe Schools › Chapter 38 - Health and Safety › Subchapter A. General Provisions › Section 38.017. Availability of Automated External Defibrillator

Sec. 38.017.  AVAILABILITY OF AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR.  (a)  Each school district shall make available at each campus in the district at least one automated external defibrillator, as defined by Section 779.001, Health and Safety Code.  A campus defibrillator must be readily available during any University Interscholastic League athletic competition held on the campus.  In determining the location at which to store a campus defibrillator, the principal of the campus shall consider the primary location on campus where students engage in athletic activities.
(b)  To the extent practicable, each school district, in cooperation with the University Interscholastic League, shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that an automated external defibrillator is available at each University Interscholastic League athletic practice held at a district campus.  If a school district is not able to make an automated external defibrillator available in the manner provided by this subsection, the district shall determine the extent to which an automated external defibrillator must be available at each University Interscholastic League athletic practice held at a district campus.  The determination must be based, in addition to any other appropriate considerations, on relevant medical information.
(c)  Each school district, in cooperation with the University Interscholastic League, shall determine the extent to which an automated external defibrillator must be available at each University Interscholastic League athletic competition held at a location other than a district campus.  The determination must be based, in addition to any other appropriate considerations, on relevant medical information and whether emergency services personnel are present at the athletic competition under a contract with the school district.
(d)  Each school district shall ensure the presence at each location at which an automated external defibrillator is required under Subsection (a), (b), or (c) of at least one campus or district employee trained in the proper use of the defibrillator at any time a substantial number of district students are present at the location.
(e)  A school district shall ensure that an automated external defibrillator is used and maintained in accordance with standards established under Chapter 779, Health and Safety Code.
(f)  This section does not:
(1)  waive any immunity from liability of a school district or its officers or employees;
(2)  create any liability for or a cause of action against a school district or its officers or employees; or
(3)  waive any immunity from liability under Section 74.151, Civil Practice and Remedies Code.
(g)  This subsection applies only to a private school that receives an automated external defibrillator from the agency or receives funding from the agency to purchase or lease an automated external defibrillator.  A private school shall:
(1)  make available at the school at least one automated external defibrillator; and
(2)  in coordination with the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools, adopt a policy concerning the availability of an automated external defibrillator at athletic competitions and practices in a manner consistent with the requirements prescribed by this section, including the training and maintenance requirements prescribed by this section.
(h)  A school district may seek and accept gifts, grants, or other donations to pay the district's cost of purchasing automated external defibrillators required under this section.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1371 (S.B. 7), Sec. 6, eff. June 15, 2007.