HOUSE  .   .   .   .   .   .   .  No. 4972

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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                            HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, August 1, 2024.                         

The committee on Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Bill requiring automated external defibrillators at sporting events (House, No. 4121), reports recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting therefor the accompanying bill (House, No. 4972).

For the committee,

AARON MICHLEWITZ.

        FILED ON: 8/1/2024

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4972

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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An Act requiring automated external defibrillators at sporting events.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Section 78 of chapter 93 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the definition of “Contract for health club services” the following definition:-

“Facility”, a public stadium, sports center, gymnasium or other facility hosting or providing for an athletic or sporting event.

SECTION 2. Said chapter 93 is hereby further amended by inserting after section 78A the following section:-

Section 87A. (a) A facility shall have on the premises at least 1 AED, as defined in section 12V ½ of chapter 112, and shall have in attendance during any sporting activity taking place at the facility, or while rendering services to the public for such sporting at the facility, at least 1 employee or authorized volunteer as an AED provider, as defined in said section 12V ½ of said chapter 112.

(b)(1) While any sporting activity is taking place there shall be in attendance: (i) at least 1 employee of the facility that has completed a training course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and in the use of an automated external defibrillator in accordance with the standards established by the American Heart Association, Inc. or the American National Red Cross; or (ii) a volunteer that has completed a training course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and in the use of an automated external defibrillator in accordance with the standards established by the American Heart Association, Inc. or the American National Red Cross.

(2) If no employee or volunteer is available, as provided in paragraph (1), the operator, or a designated agent of the operator, of the facility shall make best efforts to identify readily available volunteers present at the facility; provided, that any volunteer shall be trained in the use of an automated external facility as provided in clause (ii) of paragraph (1). The request for volunteers may be made through a public announcement. The announcement shall include: (i) identifying the location of AEDs in the facility; (ii) identifying the employee or volunteer trained in the use of an automated external defibrillator; and (iii) the procedure for identifying readily available volunteers trained in the use of an automated external defibrillator present during the sporting event, which may include physical recognition such as standing to be recognized, raising a hand or otherwise communicating a willingness to volunteer or by electronic communication via mobile phone or other device.

(c) A placard shall be installed at every facility entryway with a map of the location of any automated external defibrillator at the facility.