Bill > A832

This bill expands immunity from civil liability for individuals who acquire or use an automated external defibrillator (AED), a device that can restart a heart that has stopped beating due to sudden cardiac arrest. The legislation aims to encourage the wider availability and use of AEDs by clarifying that individuals or entities acquiring an AED are protected from lawsuits if they act in good faith and comply with maintenance and notification requirements, even if a layperson uses the device. Importantly, the bill grants immunity to laypersons who use an AED in an emergency, even if they don't have formal training, as long as they act in good faith, and it removes the requirement for all AED users to have specific certifications, recognizing that AEDs are designed for use by untrained individuals in critical moments. This change is intended to save lives by ensuring AEDs are more readily available and used when needed, particularly in settings like health clubs and nursing homes, which are also subject to new requirements for acquiring and maintaining AEDs and training staff.