SF3548

Purpose

• Improve safety for students by ensuring trained athletic coaches can respond in emergencies using CPR and AEDs.

Main Provisions

• Starting in the 2027-2028 school year, all high school and middle school athletic coaches and assistant coaches employed by a school district or charter school must obtain and maintain current training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).
• After initial training, coaches and assistant coaches must receive additional training at least once every two calendar years.
• Training must be consistent with national evidence-based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines.

Liability Protections

• A coach who performs CPR or uses an AED in the course of their duties is not liable in a civil action for damages from acts or omissions during that performance, except in cases of gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.

Implementation and Legal Changes

• The bill adds a subdivision to Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement section 121A.241, establishing CPR and AED training requirements and liability protections for coaches.

Key Definitions and Terms Used

• CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)
• AED (automatic external defibrillator)
• Coach, assistant coach
• High school, middle school
• School district, charter school
• Civil action, damages
• Gross negligence, willful or wanton misconduct
• National evidence-based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines

Practical Impact

• Schools will need to organize and verify CPR/AED training for all qualifying coaches.
• Regular ongoing training will be required to maintain current CPR/AED skills.
• Coaches who assist in emergencies are protected from most civil lawsuits related to their actions, provided they are not acting with gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Relevant Terms CPR, CPR training, AED, automated external defibrillator, defibrillator, coach, assistant coach, high school, middle school, school district, charter school, civil action, damages, negligence, gross negligence, willful misconduct, wanton misconduct, emergency cardiovascular care guidelines, evidence-based guidelines.