HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4993

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, January 27, 2026.

The committee on Ways and Means to whom was referred the Bill requiring automated external defibrillators at sporting events (House, No. 2391), reports recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting therefor the accompanying bill (House, No. 4993).

For the committee,

AARON MICHLEWITZ.

        FILED ON: 1/27/2026

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4993

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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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:
 

Chapter 111 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 250. (a) As used in this section, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:

“AED”, as defined in section 12V½ of chapter 112.

“AED provider”, as defined in 12V½ of chapter 112.

“Facility”, a public stadium, sports center, gymnasium or other facility hosting or providing athletic or sporting events; provided, however, that “facility” shall not include a school sponsored athletic event at a school gymnasium pursuant to section 54C of chapter 71.

(b) A facility shall have on the premises at least 1 AED and shall have in attendance during any sporting activity taking place at the facility, or while rendering services to the public for such sporting activity at the facility, at least 1 employee or authorized volunteer as an AED provider.

(c)(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 AED 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 AED 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 AED 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 AED; and (iii) the procedure for identifying readily available volunteers trained in the use of an AED 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.

(d) A placard shall be installed at each public entrance to the facility with a map of the location of any AED at the facility.

(e) The department shall establish regulations and guidelines for the application, implementation, training, support and supervision of this section.