Bill > H532

This bill requires assisted living residences to have automated external defibrillators (AEDs) on their premises, making them readily accessible to residents. An AED is defined as a medical device that functions as a heart monitor and defibrillator, having received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and being capable of automatically detecting life-threatening heart rhythms like ventricular fibrillation or rapid ventricular tachycardia, and then delivering an electrical shock if necessary without requiring manual intervention from an operator. This addition to existing law, specifically chapter 19D of the General Laws, aims to improve emergency response capabilities within these residences for the benefit of elderly residents.