SECTION 1.  Chapter 71 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 2C, the following section:-

Section 2D.  Each school district in the commonwealth shall provide instruction in hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator as part of the existing physical education or health education curriculum in grades 9 through 12.  The school district may select a no-cost, non-certification instructional program to meet this requirement.  The instructional program provided shall be modeled from an instructional program established by a nationally recognized association with expertise in instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator and include a hands-on learning component for each participating student.  Each public high school student shall be required to participate in the instructional program as a requirement for high school graduation; provided, however, that no student shall be required to take part in the instructional program if (i) a licensed physician certifies in writing that such participation would be injurious to the student; or (ii) a parent or guardian for the student submits a written objection to the student’s participation in the instructional program.

SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect on September 1, 2025.