AED Laws and AED Requirements by State

On January 2, 2023, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed from sudden cardiac arrest in the middle of an NFL game. Team medics rushed in, performing CPR and deploying an automated external defibrillator in the field to revive his heart. The high-profile rescue showed just how important quick access to an AED can be during an emergency. Since then, lawmakers around the United States have passed a patchwork of varying state laws about the requirements for AEDs to expand availability of devices, require their placement in key locations, and provide protection for users of these devices.

In this article, we’ll explain what AEDs are, review the basics of the U.S. AED requirements by state, and discuss penalties and training mandates that shape public access defibrillation.

Read More: How An AED Works: Step-by-Step Guide to Save Lives

What is an AED?

An Automated External Defibrillator, also known as AED, is a transportable electronic device used to treat sudden cardiac arrest by sending an electric shock to the heart. Cardiac arrest most often occurs when the heart’s rhythm becomes chaotic, causing the heart to stop pumping blood effectively, such as ventricular fibrillation. An AED automatically analyzes the victim’s heart rhythm and, if it detects a shockable arrhythmia, will instruct the user to deliver a controlled electrical shock to restore a normal heartbeat.

These devices are designed to be user-friendly: even untrained bystanders or children can operate an AED by following voice prompts and diagrams provided by the device. AED intervention is most effective when done in a timely fashion: survival can be as high as 90% if defibrillation is delivered within the first minutes of collapse, but the chance of survival drops about 7–10% with every minute of delay.

Read More: What is the difference between a Cardiac Arrest and Heart Attack?

What Are the Basics of AED Laws in the U.S.?

AED legislation in America emerged in the mid-1990s when policymakers were informed of defibrillators’ potential for saving lives. Presently, there is legislation concerning AEDs in all American states, although specifics vary considerably. These laws generally afford wider availability of AEDs in public, maintain AEDs in a functional status after deployment, and lower fears of legal liability against good Samaritans. The following are some common aspects of AED laws in states:

• Mandatory AED Placement

Some states in the United States legally require AEDs to be placed in places where cardiac arrests are most likely to occur: schools, gyms, airports, and big public places. For instance, California requires AEDs in schools and some public buildings, New York requires them at school athletic events, and Washington state enforces the placement of AEDs in fitness centers. Similarly, Louisiana and Arkansas have introduced requirements for having AEDs in athletic departments and health clubs. This is a reflection of emerging evidence that immediate defibrillation in public will significantly improve survival rates.

• Maintenance and Testing

Most AED laws stress the appropriate care and maintenance of the device. Generally, AED owners are expected to conduct routine checks and maintenance like replacing batteries and pads before their date of expiration so that the AED will operate in an emergency.. Some states explicitly mandate documentation of maintenance or periodic self-tests to keep the device in “ready” condition.

• Training Requirements

Many states require that anticipated responders (people likely to use the AED) receive CPR and AED training. This includes employees at fitness centers, school staff, or flight attendants. For example, Colorado, Florida, and New York all require individuals operating an AED to complete a certified training program. That way, the responders are both competent and confident to quickly and effectively respond in cardiac emergencies.

• AED Registration and EMS Notification

To integrate AEDs into the emergency response system, many laws require owners to register their AED with local EMS or public health authorities. Registration informs 911 dispatchers of AED locations and may help improve the emergency responders’ ability to direct bystanders to the nearest device. Similarly, many states require that whenever an AED is used, the user must call 911 and inform them. This ensures professional medical help is on the way and that the incident is reported.

• Good Samaritan Liability Protection

Nearly all states extend civil immunity to people who in good faith use an AED during an emergency. These Good Samaritan provisions protect lay rescuers (and often property owners and AED providers) from lawsuits, so long as they act reasonably and without gross negligence. In other words, if you try to help a victim with an AED, the law is on your side. This immunity is a cornerstone of AED laws, it reduces the fear of being sued, which might otherwise deter bystanders from using the device to save a life.

What Are The AED Laws by State?

While the goals of AED legislation are similar across the country, the specific requirements can differ significantly from state to state. Some states have aggressive mandates to place AEDs in various public venues and institutions, whereas others have relatively minimal requirements (focusing only on training or immunity). The following table provides a snapshot of AED requirements by state:

State	AED Law Requirements
Colorado	Colorado requires every dental office that administers anesthesia to be equipped with an AED.  Any entity acquiring an AED must notify local EMS and ensure users are trained. Focuses on high-risk settings like dental offices and coordination with emergency services..
California	AEDs are required in health clubs and some new large public buildings. Public and charter schools with athletic programs must have at least one AED. Coaches and athletic staff are advised to receive CPR/AED training.
New Jersey	Under Janet’s Law, every school (public and private) must have at least one unlocked, clearly marked AED on-site. A trained staff member must be present at all athletic events and practices. Health clubs are also required to have AEDs and trained staff. Civil penalties apply for violations: $250 for the first, up to $1,000 for repeated offenses.
New York	Louis’s Law requires AEDs in all public and charter schools, with trained school personnel. Dental offices using anesthesia must have an AED on-site. Public surf beaches must keep an AED available during operating hours. Broad focus on both educational and recreational locations.
Rhode Island	Any facility with a capacity over 300 people must have an AED. Covers large venues such as restaurants, theaters, and conference centers. Also mandates AEDs in health clubs. Reflects strong commitment to public access defibrillation.
Arkansas	Mandates an AED on every school campus and adequately trained personnel on-site.  The state provides grants to help schools purchase and maintain AEDs, reducing cost barriers.

Places with Mandatory AED Placement Requirements

Some states go beyond general encouragement and legally require AEDs to be installed in certain types of facilities. These mandatory placement laws usually affect places where large numbers of people gather or where the risk of sudden cardiac arrest is higher than average. Below are common settings with AED requirements by states and the number of such states mandating them:

• K-12 Schools

20 states, plus the District of Columbia, have enacted legislation requiring the availability of AEDs in schools. Many of these laws provide for at least one AED per school campus that would be readily available during school hours and at school-sponsored events.

• Health Clubs and Gyms

14 states mandate that health clubs, fitness centers, or gyms have an AED on site. Given the increased cardiac stress during exercise (especially in older individuals), states like California, Illinois, New York, and Massachusetts include fitness facilities in their AED laws. Typically, at least one staff member must also be trained to use the device during all operating hours.

• Dental Offices

22 states require AEDs in dental offices, especially those where sedation or general anesthesia is administered. This is due to the small but serious risk of cardiac arrest from anesthesia. For example, states such as Florida and Colorado mandate AEDs in dental or oral surgery clinics for patient safety.

• Public Swimming Pools

6 states require an AED at public or community swimming pools. Strenuous activity and the risk of drowning or cardiac events in the water make pools a sensible place to have a defibrillator on hand. Maryland and Florida are among states with this rule.

• Government Buildings

3 states require AEDs in certain state or local government buildings (for instance, state capitols or courthouses where public traffic is high). Even when not required, many public buildings have added AEDs following federal recommendations.

• Nursing Homes

2 states explicitly require nursing homes to have AEDs on the premises (beyond just calling 911 for emergencies). Given the vulnerable population in nursing facilities, having an AED immediately available can protect residents while awaiting EMS.

Legal Penalties for Non-Compliance with AED Laws

Ensuring compliance with AED laws is a serious matter; after all, lives are at stake. Many state statutes include legal penalties for organizations that do not follow AED requirements. The most common enforcement mechanism is civil fines. 

These fines create a strong incentive for businesses and schools to install the required equipment and keep it maintained. Other states have similar penalty provisions for missing or non-functional AEDs in locations where they are required by law.

• Beyond fines, there’s an implicit legal risk in neglecting AED readiness: liability in the event of a tragedy. If a sudden cardiac arrest occurs and an organization has no AED (or an AED was present but not maintained or used), they could face negligence lawsuits. In recent years, there have been cases of lawsuits filed when AEDs weren’t available or not used during an emergency. 
• While Good Samaritan laws generally protect lay rescuers, they do not protect an entity that willfully disregards a legal duty to have an AED. In fact, legal experts note that a facility without an AED may be more at risk of being sued for a cardiac death than one that has an AED and tried to help. Even if such lawsuits are not always successful, the reputational damage and legal costs can be significant.

Most jurisdictions now offer strong immunity for anyone who attempts to help with an AED, so lawsuits against rescuers are rare. The greater risk to institutions is being seen as negligent for lacking this standard life-saving equipment. 

Why Understanding AED Requirements Matter

AEDs are often the difference between life and death in cardiac emergencies, and U.S. states are continually refining their laws to put this life-saving technology within reach whenever needed. The legal landscape surrounding AEDs has evolved from simply protecting those who use them to actively requiring AEDs in schools, gyms, and other high-risk venues, and ensuring people are trained and unafraid to act. 

While compliance with AED requirements by state (and the penalties for ignoring them) provides important accountability, the ultimate goal is cultural: to make AEDs as ubiquitous and accepted as fire alarms, and to make taking action in a cardiac arrest event second nature for bystanders. By staying informed about your own state’s AED laws and supporting placement and training initiatives, you become part of a nationwide effort to create safer communities.

Take the next step in saving lives: enroll in a BLS course today to gain the skills and confidence to respond effectively in cardiac emergencies.

FAQs

1. Do all U.S. states require AEDs in public places?

No, not all states require AEDs everywhere. Some states mandate them only in specific locations like schools, gyms, or dental offices, while others only encourage their placement for public safety.

2. Who is allowed to use an AED during an emergency?

Anyone can use an AED. These devices are designed for the public and give clear voice instructions. Good Samaritan laws protect people who try to help in good faith during a cardiac emergency.

3. How often should AEDs be checked or maintained?

AEDs should be regularly checked, typically once a month, for expiration of the battery and pads. Some states legally require documented maintenance to confirm the AED is always ready to use.

4. Do I need CPR training to use an AED?

While you don’t need formal training to use an AED, taking a course in CPR and AED use helps you act more quickly and confidently. Many states have encouraged or initiated the training of staff at schools, gyms, and other workplaces.