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H 4075

An Act relative to enhancing emergency infant care response

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Manny Cruz

The bill standardizes and prioritizes certified infant CPR responders in infant emergencies, creating a registry, training requirements, and strict on-scene protocols.

Accompanied a study order, see H5234
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Bill Summary · H 4075

Summary of H 4075: An Act relative to enhancing emergency infant care response

Purpose

This bill seeks to improve emergency response for infants (12 months old or younger) by prioritizing the dispatch and involvement of trained infant CPR responders, establishing standards for training and certification, and creating operational protocols for dispatchers and first responders.

Key Provisions

  • Definitions

    • Introduces terms such as “certified infant CPR responder,” “dispatching authority,” and “infant” for the purpose of the act.
    • Defines “intervention” as any medical or physical care provided to an infant in a life-threatening emergency.

  • Dispatch and prioritization (on call intake and response)

    • When a call involves an infant in respiratory distress, choking, or requires CPR, dispatchers must prioritize sending certified infant CPR responders to the scene and notify all responders that the patient is an infant.
    • A registry of certified infant CPR responders must be maintained and kept available for all infant emergencies.

  • Role of non-certified responders

    • Non-certified personnel may assist in logistics but cannot perform infant CPR unless directed by a certified responder, with liability for unauthorized intervention clearly addressed.

  • On-scene care

    • At the emergency scene, only certified infant CPR responders may directly manage infant care unless no certified responder is present or exigent circumstances exist.
    • Non-certified individuals (bystanders or other responders) are prohibited from intervening while a certified responder is actively providing CPR, unless instructed otherwise.

  • Liability and protections

    • Individuals who intervene without certification in violation of the bill may face civil liability for harm caused, except when acting under explicit direction from a certified infant CPR responder.
    • Certified infant CPR responders are protected under Massachusetts good Samaritan laws (chapter 258C) when acting within their training.

  • Public awareness and staffing requirements

    • The department must run public awareness campaigns about infant CPR training.
    • First responder agencies must maintain adequate staffing of infant CPR-certified personnel and provide training opportunities; all first responders (e.g., EMTs, police, firefighters) must be certified in infant CPR as part of training, with annual refresher courses.

  • Regulations and training protocols

    • The department will promulgate rules to ensure compliance and develop training protocols for dispatchers to identify and prioritize infant CPR emergencies.

  • Implementation timeline

    • The act takes effect 180 days after passage to allow for training and protocol implementation.

Affected Parties

  • Emergency dispatchers and dispatching authorities (e.g., 911 operators)
  • First responders: EMTs, police, firefighters
  • Certified infant CPR responders (new registry and ongoing requirements)
  • General public (through awareness campaigns)

Legislative and Status Details

  • Introduced: May 5, 2025
  • House Docket: No. 4075 (HD 2754 replaces)
  • Hearing schedule noted; Senate concurred on May 8, 2025
  • Status: Reporting date extended to Tuesday, October 21, 2025

This bill aims to standardize infant CPR response, improve scene management for infant emergencies, and enhance safety for infants while clarifying liability and training obligations for responders.

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

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