Rep. Greenfield files bill in North Carolina House to require AEDs in schools

A new bill filed by State Rep. Julia Greenfield in the North Carolina House seeks to ensure schools have automatic external defibrillators and trained personnel to enhance student safety, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 692 on April 2 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘AEDs and CPR in Schools.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill mandates the installation of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) in North Carolina public, charter, regional, and secondary schools and requires associated training for school personnel. Each school must have a minimum of two AEDs, one in a state-designated location and another in the athletic facilities. The State Board of Education is tasked with creating rules for AED installation, usage, and maintenance, while local boards, trustees, and charter school authorities must develop policies following these rules. The bill also requires collaboration with licensed professionals and local emergency medical systems for training oversight. Schools are to utilize allocated funds for the procurement and maintenance of AEDs and training. This act takes effect upon becoming law and applies starting with the 2025-26 school year.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Grant L. Campbell, MD proposed the most bills (50) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Greenfield graduated from Appalachian State University in 1982 with a BA.

Greenfield, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2025 to represent the state’s 100th House district, replacing previous state representative John Autry.