(a) The department shall establish an automatic external defibrillator program to assist school entities and nonpublic schools in making automatic external defibrillators available in school buildings.

(b) On a biennial basis, the department, in consultation with the Department of General Services and the Department of Health, shall issue an invitation to bid for the cost of automatic external defibrillators and other equipment and supplies necessary for the proper operation of the device. The department shall accept the bid of the lowest responsible bidder and permit any school entity or nonpublic school to purchase the devices at the contract bid price. The department may purchase automatic external defibrillators from any funds appropriated pursuant to subsection (k) for distribution to school entities and nonpublic schools.

(c) To be eligible to obtain or purchase automatic external defibrillators under the program a school entity or nonpublic school must:

(d) School personnel who are expected to use the automatic external defibrillator shall complete training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and in the use of an automatic external defibrillator provided by the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross or through an equivalent course of instruction approved by the Department of Health.

(e) A school entity may include the training required by subsection (d) in its continuing professional education plan submitted to the department under section 1205.1.¹

(f) The provisions of 42 Pa.C.S. § 8331.2 (relating to good Samaritan civil immunity for use of automated external defibrillator) shall apply to school employes who render care with an automatic external defibrillator.

(g) From funds appropriated for this purpose, the department may assist school entities and nonpublic schools that are not equipped with automatic external defibrillators by providing a discount from the contract bid price obtained under subsection (b) or by providing automatic external defibrillators obtained under subsection (b).

(g.1) The purchase of an automatic external defibrillator shall be considered an allowable use of Pennsylvania Accountability Grants under section 2599.2(b).²

(g.2) The purchase of automatic external defibrillators shall be considered an innovative educational program under Article XVII-F of the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L. 6, No. 2),³ known as the “Tax Reform Code of 1971.”

(h) (Reserved).

(i) Not later than June 30, 2014, and each year thereafter, each school entity shall make a report to the department detailing the number, condition, age and placement of automatic external defibrillators in each school building. After the initial report is made, a school entity may report this information as part of the annual report required by the Commonwealth under section 2505.1⁴ to receive State reimbursement for health services.

(i.1) A nonpublic school that participates in the automatic external defibrillator program under subsection (b) or (g) shall be subject to the reporting required under subsection (i).

(i.2) The department shall annually publish a report on its publicly accessible Internet website no later than December 31, 2014, and each year thereafter. The report shall contain the following information:

(j) The department may adopt guidelines as necessary to administer this section.

(k) The General Assembly may appropriate funds to carry out the provisions of this section.

(l) As used in this section--

“Automatic external defibrillator” means a portable device that uses electric shock to restore a stable heart rhythm to an individual in cardiac arrest.

“Department” means the Department of Education of the Commonwealth.

“Nonpublic school” means a nonprofit school, other than a public school within this Commonwealth, wherein a resident of this Commonwealth may legally fulfill the compulsory school attendance requirements of this act and which meets the applicable requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-352, 78 Stat. 241).⁵

“School building” means a building owned by or under the control of a school entity or nonpublic school where classes are taught or extracurricular activities are conducted on a regular basis.

“School entity” means an area career and technical school, a charter school, a cyber charter school, an intermediate unit or a school district.

“Secretary” means the Secretary of Education of the Commonwealth.