WI Assembly passes AB 362
MADISON, Wis. – Jan. 13, 2026 – Today, the Wisconsin State Assembly passed Assembly Bill 362, commonsense bipartisan legislation that will save lives by ensuring schools develop Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERP). A Cardiac Emergency Response Plan, or CERP, is a document that outlines the actions to take in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest. AB 362 requires schools to develop CERPs for cardiac emergencies on school property or at school-sponsored sporting events.
“We want to thank the Assembly for passing AB 362 today, especially Representative Spiros, the bill’s author,” said American Heart Association State Government Relations Director, Nicole Hudzinski. “Thank you to everyone who has supported this important policy so far. It’s now time for the Senate to take action.”
“With more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occurring outside of hospitals each year, and an estimated 23,000 of those being children, this legislation will save lives and make schools safer for all Wisconsinites,” said Anna Rehbein, La Crosse resident and Chair of the American Heart Association’s WI Advocacy Committee. “CERPs prepare school employees to act with confidence when seconds can be the difference between life and death.”
Ensuring schools implement CERPs is an important preparatory step to save lives in the event of cardiac emergencies. The American Heart Association, as a member of the Smart Heart Sports Coalition established by the NFL, couldn’t be more thankful for our partnerships with many groups supporting AB 362, including the NFL, Green Bay Packers, American Red Cross, Children’s Wisconsin, Wisconsin Association of School Nurses, the American College of Cardiology Wisconsin Chapter, Wisconsin EMS Association, Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association, Kai 11 Foundation, Conquering CHD, Project ADAM, UW Health Kids and UW Health School of Medicine and Public Health.
After advancing through the state Assembly earlier today, the legislation now heads to the Senate before it can be considered by Gov. Tony Evers
