Bill > HF1856

This bill requires warehouse distribution centers with 250 or more employees at a single location or 1,000 or more employees statewide to provide automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) and ensure employee access to trained AED operators in case of emergency. Specifically, employers must have an AED on-site and ensure that every employee can be reached within 2.5 minutes by someone trained in AED use. The training must meet specific federal requirements, be conducted by a qualified person, and be presented in a manner that employees can understand. Employers must maintain written certification records of employee AED training, which remain valid for two years. The training must document the employee's name, training dates, and include a signature from the trainer or employer. The bill defines an AED as an electronic device designed to automatically or semiautomatically deliver an electrical current to the heart of a person experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. Employees who believe their employer has violated these requirements can bring a civil action for damages, injunctive relief, and potentially recover attorney fees. The provisions of this bill will become effective on January 1, 2026, giving employers time to prepare and implement the new safety requirements.

Labor and Employment

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF1856&ssn=0&y=2025