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Bill

H 2556

An Act relative to AEDs for athletic fields

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Marcus Vaughn

Mandates AED installation and maintenance on Massachusetts athletic fields to improve emergency cardiac response capacity, with unclear funding and facility scope definitions.

Hearing scheduled for 04/02/2025 from 09:00 AM-02:00 PM in Gardner Auditorium
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Bill Summary · H 2556

Legislative bill overview

H. 2556 requires the installation and maintenance of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) on athletic fields in Massachusetts. The bill establishes standards for AED placement, accessibility, and staff training at designated athletic facilities to improve emergency response capacity for sudden cardiac events.

Why is this important

Sudden cardiac arrest can be fatal within minutes, and AEDs significantly increase survival rates when deployed quickly. This bill addresses a critical gap in emergency preparedness at venues where athletic activities—which can trigger cardiac events—regularly occur, potentially saving lives during youth and adult sports activities.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost burden: Installation and ongoing maintenance of AEDs at all athletic fields may create significant expenses for schools, municipalities, and private sports organizations with unclear funding mechanisms
  • Scope and definitions: Ambiguity around which facilities qualify as "athletic fields" (public vs. private, school vs. community, all sports levels) could create compliance challenges and unequal coverage
  • Liability and training requirements: Unclear standards for staff training, maintenance protocols, and liability protections for facilities and responders may create legal exposure or administrative burdens

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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