All Roll Calls
Yes: 265 • No: 0
South CarolinaH 3831126th General Assembly (2025-2026)House
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "SMART HEART ACT" BY ADDING SECTION 59-17-165 SO AS TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A CARDIAC EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN IN EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 59-17-155, RELATING TO THE AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR PROGRAM IN HIGH SCHOOLS, SO AS TO PROVIDE EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL SHALL ENSURE THE PRESENCE OF AN AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR ONSITE AND WITHIN CERTAIN PROXIMITY OF SCHOOL ATHLETIC VENUES, AND TO PROVIDE RELATED TESTING, MAINTENANCE, AND PERSONNEL TRAINING REQUIREMENTS.
Sponsored By: M. Brian Lawson (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Summary
Smart Heart Act
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Every school needs a cardiac plan
Beginning July 1, 2026, and applying to the 2027–28 school year, every district and charter school adopts a written cardiac emergency plan. Plans cover classrooms and school sports, with a response team, 911 activation steps, AED placement and upkeep, drills, staff training, and yearly review using national guidelines. Schools coordinate the plan with local EMS. Private teams that play public schools must follow these rules for those teams. Staff training named in the plan occurs as funding is provided by the General Assembly or the Department of Education.
More AEDs and trained coaches at sports
High schools run an AED program when the state or the education department funds it. Each school makes an AED reachable from every on‑campus athletic venue in an unlocked, marked spot during school days and events, and having trained staff or EMS with an AED also counts. At off‑site events, the host team ensures an AED is present, or the event sponsor does. All AEDs are tested and maintained per the maker’s instructions, and EMS is told the type and location. All coaches keep CPR, first aid, and AED training that meets national standards.
Legal protection for school responders
Schools, staff, and volunteers who create or follow the cardiac plan and give first aid, CPR, or use an AED are protected from lawsuits and criminal charges. This protection does not cover gross negligence or willful or reckless acts. Giving first aid, CPR, or using an AED under the plan is not the practice of medicine or nursing.
State help to fund and buy AEDs
The Department of Education seeks public and private funds and helps districts apply for federal grants tied to these plans and AEDs. The State Fiscal Accountability Authority can set a statewide contract to buy AEDs. The Department of Education issues rules to carry out the law.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
M. Brian Lawson
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Heather Bauer
Democrat • House
Donald G. "Don" Chapman
Republican • House
Adam L. Duncan
Republican • House
Craig A. Gagnon
Republican • House
Hamilton R. Grant
Democrat • House
Brandon Guffey
Republican • House
Jackie E. "Coach" Hayes
Democrat • House
Leon Howard
Democrat • House
Marvin "Mark" Smith
Republican • House
David Martin
Republican • House
John R. McCravy III
Republican • House
Dennis C. Moss
Republican • House
Fawn M. Pedalino
Republican • House
Michael F. Rivers, Sr.
Democrat • House
Robby Robbins
Republican • House
Richard Blake Sanders
Republican • House
Carla M. Schuessler
Republican • House
Heath Sessions
Republican • House
Travis A. Moore
Republican • House
Courtney S. Waters
Democrat • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/25/2026
(Smart Heart Act)Concur in Senate Amendments
Yes: 117 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/17/2026
(Smart Heart Act)2nd Reading
Yes: 40 • No: 0
House vote • 4/8/2025
(Smart Heart Act)Passage of Bill
Yes: 108 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Act No. 108
4/2/2026legislatureEffective date 07/01/26
4/2/2026legislatureSigned By Governor
3/30/2026GovernorRatified R 115
3/25/2026legislatureRoll call Yeas-117 Nays-0
3/25/2026HouseConcurred in Senate amendment and enrolled
3/25/2026HouseRead third time and returned to House with amendments
3/19/2026SenateRoll call Ayes-40 Nays-0
3/17/2026SenateRead second time
3/17/2026SenateCommittee Amendment Adopted
3/17/2026SenateCommittee report: Favorable with amendment Education
3/11/2026SenateReferred to Committee on Education
4/9/2025SenateIntroduced and read first time
4/9/2025SenateRead third time and sent to Senate
4/9/2025HouseRoll call Yeas-108 Nays-0
4/8/2025HouseRead second time
4/8/2025HouseAmended
4/8/2025HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: Waters
4/8/2025HouseScrivener's error corrected
4/4/2025legislatureCommittee report: Favorable with amendment Education and Public Works
4/2/2025HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: Rivers
4/1/2025HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: Schuessler
3/26/2025HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: Robbins
2/20/2025HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: Duncan, Sanders, Grant, Howard, Bauer, Pedalino
2/13/2025HouseReferred to Committee on Education and Public Works
1/29/2025House
Bill Text
Introduced
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