Bill to Require Cardiac Emergency Response Plans in North Dakota Schools Headed to Governor’s Desk
BISMARCK, May 5th, 2025 — The North Dakota Senate voted to pass House Bill 1363. During the 2025 ND legislative session, the American Heart Association, devoted to a world of healthier lives for all, championed this legislation to implement cardiac emergency response plans in public and non-public schools and school owned athletic facilities.
The American Heart Association, founding member of the Smart Heart Sports Coalition established by the NFL in 2023, and their You’re the Cure advocates worked alongside coalition members and other organizations to push for this policy that will increase survival rates from cardiac arrests that happen outside of a hospital.
More than 356,000 people experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital in the United States each year. Currently, 10% of those people will survive, most likely because there were people nearby prepared to take action. CPR, if performed immediately, can double or triple a person’s chance of survival.
It is estimated that about 23,000 children under the age of 18 experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital annually in this country. Of those children, about 40% are sports-related. Whether in the classroom or on the playing field, having a plan in place to enable faculty, staff, and students to quickly and correctly respond to a cardiac emergency can save lives. In schools with AEDs, approximately 70% of children survive cardiac arrest – 7 times the overall survival rate for children.
“We deeply appreciate Representative Lisa Meier's exceptional leadership in championing HB 1363 from inception to near-unanimous approval," said Tony Burke, Government Relations Director for the American Heart Association. "This achievement was made possible by a collective statewide effort, with numerous voices educating legislators and key partners on the critical importance of this life-saving initiative. We eagerly anticipate Governor Armstrong's signing of HB 1363 into law and celebrating this monumental step forward in saving lives."
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
Chrissy Meyer; Chrissy.Meyer@Heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
