Sen. Rafferty bill to equip Maine schools for medical emergencies by requiring on-site defibrillators enacted by the Senate

AUGUSTA — On Wednesday, June 25, the Maine Senate enacted a bill sponsored by Sen. Joe Rafferty, D-Kennebunk that would require Maine schools to provide on-site access to defibrillators in case of medical emergencies during athletic events. LD 587, “An Act to Require School Boards to Adopt a Policy on Automated External Defibrillator Access at School-sponsored Athletic Events,” was enacted off of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Table and sent to the Governor’s desk.

“Throughout my career, both during my time coaching and serving in the Senate, it has always been my mission to make schools safer for students, teachers and families alike,” said Sen. Rafferty. “You never know when a medical emergency will arise, and we don’t want to be caught on the back foot when they do. Requiring our schools to provide accessible defibrillators on school grounds keeps us prepared to handle life’s scariest moments and keeps our communities safe.”

As amended, 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 other similar life-threatening medical emergencies during school-sponsored athletic events taking place on school grounds. Part of this plan includes schools providing 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.

LD 587 was held by Gov. Mills for further action until the next time the Legislature convenes for more than three days. Under the Maine Constitution, at that point, the Governor would have the option to veto the bill or allow it to become law without her signature.

Sen. Rafferty represents Senate District 34, which includes Berwick, Cape Porpoise, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, North Berwick and Wells in York County.