Legislation Ensures Maryland Schools Have Plans in Place for Cardiac Emergencies

A 16-year-old Marylander and avid athlete, Bailey Bullock, died outside of his school on May 12, 2021. 

“Bailey had his Sudden Cardiac Arrest event after completing his track and field meet,” said Patrice Bullock, mother of the late student.

The Bailey Bullock Act, a new law that was named after Bailey, went into effect July 1, 2024.

“The Act requires all Maryland public, private, middle and high schools to have cardiac emergency response plans (CERP) in place,” Patrice explained.

She reflected on the personality and aspirations of the “low-key respectful but humble young man” who was a sophomore attending John Carroll High School located in Bel Air, Maryland. Bailey wanted to excel in sports, and he also aspired to maintain an A/B grade point average.

The multitalented teen’s chance to become a wide receiver was cut short.

“There was no obvious cardiac Emergency Response Plan in place based on the actions that were taken for Bailey at the time of his sudden cardiac arrest and my subsequent meeting with the school nurse whose only response was ‘they used the AED [Automated External Defibrillator]’ but CPR was not promptly initiated. The initiation of CPR was delayed significantly which may have led to Bailey’s subsequent demise,” Patrice said, commenting on her devastating loss.

She further stated that the timing of specific medical response during a Sudden Cardiac Arrest is highly important because the brain dies within four to five minutes when there is a lack of oxygen.

 “Therefore, if circulation is not restored by performing CPR, we can then assure ourselves that the possibility of survival is minimal. And if one does survive, their risk of brain damage is significant.” 

According to Bailey’s mother, “In Bailey’s case, approximately 8 minutes and 30 seconds passed before CPR was initiated.”

Two weeks after Bailey’s death, Patrice learned from school surveillance that the life safety measures that can potentially save an individual during Sudden Cardiac Arrest were not readily available to Bailey. Patrice’s grief turned into action. 

She added, “My action turned into developing the Bailey’s Heart and Soul Foundation. I began to use this platform to advocate for the use of AED and CPR in middle and high schools. My advocacy led me to the American Heart Association, which has since given me a greater platform in which to emphasize the need of CPR and AED usage. The American Heart Association has also given me the political clout to put forth the Bailey Bullock Act.”

Jill Birnbaum, National Senior Vice President, Field Advocacy for the American Heart Association provides insight about the importance of having CERP plans in educational settings. 

“Far too often, no one starts CPR before emergency responders arrive and even when an AED is in the building, there have been situations where the location of the device was not known (for example, locked up in an office or behind a security desk), which is what happened with Bailey.”

She also revealed that over 350,000 people, including about 23,000 children under the age of 18, experience a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital each year. Only one in 10 survive this traumatic event.

“When people nearby take action by dialing 911, starting CPR and using an AED, survival more than doubles,” Birnbaum stated.

She continued, “With about 49.5 million students enrolled in U.S. public schools in pre-K to grade 12, about 3 million teachers in the public school system, plus numerous staff and community members using school facilities, it is important to have a plan in place to address cardiac arrest.”

Birnbaum pointed out that the National Football League established the Smart Heart Sports Coalition. The American Heart Association and Damar Hamlin’s Chasing M’s Foundation are founding members. 

“Today the coalition works in all 50 states to adopt evidence-based public policies that will prevent fatal outcomes from sudden cardiac arrest among high school students.” 

The American Heart Association’s advocacy efforts include staff and volunteer support for the passage of laws in every state. The purpose is to ensure that schools and school athletic facilities and events are prepared to respond when a cardiac emergency occurs. Additionally, Birnbaum said that this work aligns seamlessly with the broader work of the American Heart Association’s Nation of Lifesavers™ movement to double the survival rate from cardiac arrest by 2030.

Bailey’s mother took her cardiovascular emergency care advocacy efforts to Capitol Hill with the American Heart Association on May 23, 2024. 

Her son’s impactful legacy can save the lives of other young people in the future.

“Having the Bailey Bullock Act in Maryland’s school system will give Bailey a legacy that cannot be denied and will help to maintain his memory in a positive light,” Patrice added.

Visit www.baileysheartandsoul.org and  www.facebook.com/baileyb6 to learn more about Bailey’s Heart and Soul Foundation.