Increasing access to AEDs has been a priority issue for several ACC State Chapters, guiding their advocacy efforts throughout the 2025 state legislative sessions. In the past year, more than 20 states have introduced related legislation, with ACC Chapters playing a major role in advocating for successful passage in Arizona, Delaware, Florida, New York, Nevada, North Dakota, Vermont and Virginia.

These victories are a key indicator of ACC's successful collaboration with the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, where the College's strengths in grassroots organizing and cardiovascular expertise have been able to move decisionmakers in enacting legislation that will improve public safety and save lives both on and off the athletic field.

The foundational tenets of the Smart Heart Sports Coalition's advocacy efforts include the following policies: Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) for each high school athletic venue that are widely distributed, posted, rehearsed, and updated annually; clearly marked AEDs at each athletic venue or within one to three minutes of each venue where high school practices or competitions are held; and CPR and AED education for coaches.

In Nevada, ACC chapter members spearheaded legislation to require schools to develop EAPs for cardiac events. After securing a bill sponsor, testifying in-person and virtually at various hearings, engaging with media outlets and sending letters to lawmakers, the chapter celebrated the governor signing the bill into law in June.

Members from Delaware, New York, North Dakota and Vermont also acted in their respective states, submitting letters from chapter leadership to endorse the coalition's evidence-backed policies, and providing both written and verbal testimony during legislative hearings.

In addition, states like Arizona, Florida and Virigina made the most of ACC's Action Alert system, activating their membership to send messages to their state legislators in support of Smart Heart bills.

State chapters in Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Wisconsin are currently working with the coalition to pass legislation in the remaining months of the legislative session or early next year.

Interested in getting involved in state advocacy? Contact Michael Lawrence or Erin Bailey for ways to take action. Plus, explore ACC Advocacy's championing access to care for all priority for more on the College's efforts to expand CPR training and AED access nationwide.