RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) — A bill that would make all Virginia schools come up with a cardiac emergency response plan was recently signed into law by Gov. Glenn Youngkin. It follows similar legislation that was passed in 2023, which required all schools in the Commonwealth to have automated externa l defibrillators. Advocates of HB1695 say that the bill will complement this existing law and hopefully save lives.   "If there's a cardiac emergency happening on school grounds, there's a plan in place to get an AED to the location of the cardiac emergency," said Gonzalo Aida, director of state government relations in Virginia for the American Heart Association.  Aida explained that AHA was among other nonprofits that championed the legislation to pass in Virginia.   "Every minute that goes by in a cardiac emergency reduces the likelihood of survival by 10%, and so minutes are critical," Aida said.   The plans will also cover sporting events happening on campuses too.   Once it’s in place, it will be something that's practiced at least once a year, like a fire or tornado drill. Aida added that each school will be able to decide how they want to craft the plan.   "A cardiac emergency response plan can ... basically be a single page document that just has the names of the school personnel responsible for getting the AED, the location of the AEDs, where to take it," Aida said, "and, of course, the coordination with local EMS that specifies the best entrance to use." Aida added that he hopes this will help schools know how to jump into action efficiently.  "Seconds are critical in these emergency situations," Aida said. "And if someone is there performing hands-only CPR or has an AED on the patient providing lifesaving techniques, it really greatly enhances the survival rate." The law will go into effect on July 1.   ...read more read less