An Act Concerning Immunity For Public Facilities That Maintain Automatic External Defibrillators.
Impact
If enacted, HB 05455 would impact the legal liabilities of institutions that keep AEDs on site. The bill stipulates that for the immunity to be granted, the facilities must properly maintain the AEDs according to the manufacturer's guidelines, keep them accessible during business hours, and notify the public of their presence and location. This legal shield could encourage more public facilities to acquire AEDs, knowing they are protected from negligence claims if they follow the outlined procedures.
Summary
House Bill 05455 proposes to amend the general statutes concerning public facilities that maintain automatic external defibrillators (AEDs). The bill aims to provide legal immunity to these facilities for acts or omissions that could be considered ordinary negligence, provided they adhere to specific requirements regarding the maintenance and accessibility of the AEDs. This legislative move underscores the importance of having AEDs readily available in public spaces to enhance the response capabilities during medical emergencies involving cardiac arrest.
Contention
One point of contention surrounding this bill may arise from the balance between ensuring that public facilities are encouraged to maintain AEDs while also ensuring that such immunity does not lead to negligence in their maintenance. Critics could argue that providing immunity might allow facilities to become lax in their equipment upkeep, potentially endangering lives during medical emergencies. Supporters, however, may counter that the bill incentivizes facilities to invest in life-saving equipment without the fear of punitive legal repercussions for ordinary oversights.
In grounds and buildings, providing for automated external defibrillator placement, inspection, maintenance and plan; in school health services, further providing for automatic external defibrillators; and, in charter schools, further providing for provisions applicable to charter schools and for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations.
In grounds and buildings, providing for automated external defibrillator placement, inspection, maintenance and plan; in school health services, further providing for automatic external defibrillators; and, in charter schools, further providing for provisions applicable to charter schools and for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations.
In grounds and buildings, providing for automated external defibrillator placement, inspection, maintenance and plan; in school health services, further providing for automatic external defibrillators; and, in charter schools, further providing for provisions applicable to charter schools and for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations.