Gov. Mills allows Sen. Rafferty bill to require automated external defibrillator policies at school-sponsored athletic events to become law
AUGUSTA – On January 7, 2026, Gov. Mills announced that she will allow a bill sponsored by Sen. Joe Rafferty, D-Kennebunk, to become a law. LD 587, “An Act to Require School Boards to Adopt a Policy on Automated External Defibrillator Access at School-sponsored Athletic Events,” will improve student, coach and spectator safety by increasing access to defibrillators during all athletic events following notable events in RSU 21 and the National Football League.
“As a former teacher, coach, chair of the Education Committee and — most importantly — a father, it is incredibly important to me that our students are as safe as possible and this new law will help us ensure their wellbeing in case of emergency,” said Sen. Rafferty. “Cardiac emergencies can be unexpected and scary moments, as we’ve seen in our own community. Across Maine, we can ensure schools are ready to respond in case an emergency does occur. I am grateful that LD 587 will become law, so those attending or participating in school sports have a little more peace of mind.”
LD 587 requires that Maine school boards approve and implement an athletic Emergency Action Plan (EAP) that designates school personnel to respond to instances of sudden cardiac arrest or similar life-threatening medical emergencies during school-sponsored athletic events taking place on school grounds, including team practices. The law also asks schools to ensure access to automatic external defibrillators for use in such emergencies.
A similar EAP executed by RSU 21 staff helped save the life of a spectator at an 8-man Football Championship game at Kennebunk High School in November 2024. The bill also mirrors federal efforts supported by Buffalo Bills safety Demar Hamlin — who suffered a cardiac event during a “Monday Night Football” game in 2023 — to increase access to defibrillators and CPR training in schools across the country. President Joe Biden signed the HEARTS Act in December 2024.
As non-emergency legislation held by the Governor the new law will take effect 90 days after the 132nd Maine Legislature adjourns the Second Regular Session, which began last week.
###