Larry Pontbriant Jr. was a standout student and athlete at NFA. He died as a result of sudden cardiac arrest while running in a race at Mohegan Park.
His parents lobbied with the American Heart Association and the Connecticut Athletic Trainers Association to get AEDs into all schools. They were successful.
As of July 1, all school boards are required to have a automatic external defibrillator (AED) in each school, if funding is available. The bill also allows school districts to accept gifts, donations and grants to buy the machines and train personnel to use them. A companion law also reduces liability for those who use or own the machines.