HEARTS Act Passes Energy and Commerce Committee
On March 20th, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce passed the Cardiomyopathy Health Education, Awareness, Research, and Training in the Schools (HEARTS) Act (H.R. 6829).
The bill, led by Reps. Frank Pallone and Andy Kim, was amended to incorporate key elements of the Access to AEDs Act (S.1024/H.R.2370) and was forwarded to the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 24-0.
The HEARTS Act aims to prevent future deaths from sudden cardiac arrest by preparing schools to respond to cardiac emergencies when they occur. The Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop guidelines on the placement of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in schools and to provide resources to help schools create and implement a cardiac emergency response plan.
Both pieces of legislation would authorize a federal grant program to support CPR and AED training of students, staff and sports volunteers.