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HD 2754

An Act relative to enhancing emergency infant care response

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

Massachusetts bill prioritizes dispatching certified infant CPR responders to infant emergencies, with required responder training and liability protections.

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Bill Summary · HD 2754

Summary: An Act relative to enhancing emergency infant care response (HD 2754)

Overview

This bill seeks to overhaul how Massachusetts handles emergency response to life-threatening situations involving infants (12 months or younger). It would create a specialized framework for certifying, dispatching, and utilizing infant CPR responders, with new obligations for dispatchers, first responder agencies, and training requirements for public safety personnel.

Key provisions

  • Definitions (Section 1(a))

    • Introduces terms critical to the act:
    • “Certified infant CPR responder” = individuals trained and certified in infant CPR by a recognized body (e.g., American Heart Association, American Red Cross).
    • “Dispatching authority” = agencies/organizations that dispatch emergency responders (including 911).
    • “Infant” = 12 months old or younger.
    • “Intervention” = any medical/physical care provided to an infant in life-threatening distress.

  • Dispatch and prioritization (Section 1(b))

    • On calls reporting infant distress (respiratory, choking, or needing CPR), dispatchers must prioritize sending certified infant CPR responders.
    • Dispatchers must notify all responders that the patient is an infant.
    • A registry of certified infant CPR responders must be maintained, with ensured availability for infant emergencies at all times.
    • Non-certified responders may assist only in logistical roles and only perform CPR if directed by a certified responder in exigent circumstances.
    • An infant CPR responder checklist must be created to verify dispatch and awareness of the patient’s status as an infant.

  • On-scene care and liability (Section 1(c))

    • At the scene, only certified infant CPR responders should directly administer infant care unless no certified responder is present or in exigent circumstances.
    • Non-certified individuals must refrain from intervening while a certified responder is actively providing care, unless instructed.
    • Individuals who intervene without certification may bear civil liability for harm caused, except when acting under explicit direction of a certified responder.

  • Legal protections (Section 1(d))

    • Certified infant CPR responders acting within their scope receive good Samaritan protections under Massachusetts law (Chapter 258C).

  • Training, staffing, and public awareness (Section 1(e))

    • The Department of Public Safety must lead public awareness campaigns about infant CPR training.
    • First responder agencies must maintain staffing of infant-CPR-certified personnel and provide training opportunities for certification.
    • All first responders (including EMTs, police, firefighters) must be certified in infant CPR as part of their training, with annual refresher courses.

  • Regulatory framework (Section 1(f))

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

  • Implementation timeline (Section 2)

    • The act becomes effective 180 days after passage to allow for training and protocol development.

Who is affected

  • Certified infant CPR responders (newly prioritized workforce role)
  • Dispatchers and dispatching authorities (911 centers, EMS communications)
  • First responder agencies (police, fire, EMS)
  • EMTs and other public safety personnel
  • General public (through awareness campaigns)

Potential impact

  • Stronger emphasis on rapid deployment of infant-specific CPR responders.
  • Potential reductions in infant mortality from cardiac/respiratory events through specialized, timely CPR.
  • Expanded training requirements and ongoing certification for public safety personnel.
  • Clear liability framework favoring certified responders and deterring untrained interventions.

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

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