Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Minnesota House Bill HF1856

Introduced
3/3/25  

Caption

Automatic external defibrillators; AED worker safety requirements to establish access provided.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would amend existing labor laws under Minnesota Statutes, providing a structured safety requirement that could have significant implications for employee health and safety standards in the workplace. With the new law, there's a clear expectation for employers to maintain not just the presence of AEDs but also ensure effective training and readiness among staff. This could potentially lead to reduced fatalities in emergency situations involving cardiac arrest, as the barriers to timely response are lowered.

Summary

HF1856 is a proposed bill in Minnesota aimed at enhancing worker safety requirements specifically in relation to access to automatic external defibrillators (AEDs). The bill mandates employers to provide reasonable access to AEDs for employees at warehouse distribution centers, allowing for immediate response in case of sudden cardiac events. Additionally, the legislation outlines training protocols for employees to ensure they can effectively operate AEDs. Employers are required to ensure that trained personnel are within a specified distance of employees, ensuring prompt action during emergencies.

Contention

While the bill is generally seen as a step forward in worker safety, there could be ongoing debates regarding the implications for businesses, particularly smaller firms with fewer resources. Some stakeholders may express concerns over the financial burden that mandatory AED provision and training could impose on employers. Moreover, the effectiveness of the training and accessibility could become focal points in discussions about the bill, as the nuances of 'reasonable access' and 'timely training' are defined, which may vary across different workplace environments.

Companion Bills

MN SF2804

Similar To Worker safety requirement to provide access to automatic defibrillators and trained operators establishment provision

Previously Filed As

MN SF58

Worker safety requirements establishment and appropriation

MN HF36

Worker safety requirements established, and money appropriated.

MN SF3850

Provisions modification relating to occupational health and safety

MN HF3957

Occupational health and safety provisions modified.

MN SF2648

Public access automated external defibrillators appropriation to be placed in state parks, public boat accesses, waysides and school districts

MN HF2964

State parks, public boat accesses, waysides, and school districts public access automated external defibrillators funding provided; reports required; and money appropriated.

MN HF23

Safe workplaces for meat and poultry processing workers provided, report required, and money appropriated.

MN SF207

Safe Workplaces for Meat and Poultry Processing Workers Act

MN HF3947

Labor policy provisions adopted.

MN SF3852

Omnibus Labor and Industry policy bill

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