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H 4659

An Act relative to requiring trauma kits in public buildings

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Carmine Gentile and 1 co-sponsor

Requires trauma kits and trained designees in qualifying public buildings to boost bystander bleeding-control, with liability protections for those acting in good faith.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 4659

Summary of H.4659: The Massachusetts Trauma Response Preparedness Act

Overview

  • bill number: H 4659
  • title: An Act relative to requiring trauma kits in public buildings
  • official short name: The Massachusetts Trauma Response Preparedness Act
  • introduced: October 29, 2025
  • status: Reported favorably by the House Public Health Committee and referred to the House Ways and Means Committee
  • origin note: committee report accompanied by a new draft of House Bill 2557; filed 10/21/2025

Purpose and intent

The bill seeks to ensure by statute that trauma response supplies and trained personnel are readily available in a broad set of public and publicly accessible buildings. It aims to improve bystander first aid response for life-threatening bleeding through mandated trauma kits, visible placement, and designated trained individuals, with liability protections for bystanders acting in good faith.

Key provisions

Definitions (Section 237)

  • Public Building:
    • Any state or local government building used for public purposes; or
    • Any building regularly used by the general public or funded by public sources, with a listed maximum occupancy of at least 300, including private/parochial schools, places of worship, meeting halls, recreational facilities, entertainment venues, and sporting venues.
  • Trauma Kit: A kit designed to enable a general bystander to provide first aid for life-threatening bleeding, with a minimum content of:
    • an adequate tourniquet
    • gauze
    • gloves
    • a training booklet (as defined by the American College of Surgeons or equivalent)
  • Trauma Kit Designee: A person trained and certified by ACS or equivalent in bleeding-control.

Requirements for public buildings (Section 237(b))

  • All qualifying public buildings and AED-equipped locations (as referenced in other laws) must have clearly visible, centrally located, easily accessible trauma kits ready for use at all times.
  • The number of trauma kits per building must be determined by a formula to be promulgated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, with guidance informed by ACS research.

Staffing and designation (Section 237(c))

  • Each applicable building must have at least one on-site, appropriately qualified trauma kit designee at all times.

Shared storage and roles (Section 237(d))

  • Buildings may share storage space for the trauma kit and the AED.
  • The same person may serve as both an AED provider and a Trauma Kit Designee.

Good-faith liability protection (Section 237(e))

  • Individuals who render emergency care (including bleeding-control) in good faith and without compensation are shielded from liability for acts or omissions, except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Administrative amendment (Section 3)

  • Amends Section 8A of Chapter 69 to add the availability and location of trauma kits and the trauma kit designee to the list of publicly accessible information.

Applicable institutions and impact

  • A broad set of buildings would be affected, including state/local government buildings, public schools, libraries, transportation facilities, senior centers, private/parochial schools, places of worship, meeting halls, recreational and entertainment venues, and large-capacity facilities (300+ occupants).
  • Required consequences include procurement and ongoing stocking of trauma kits, designation and training of trauma kit designees, and coordinated storage with AEDs where applicable.
  • Potential cost implications for public buildings (kit purchases, training, and staff time) and administrative work to establish the formula for kit quantities.

Implementation timeline and process

  • The bill requires a formula to determine the number of kits per building, to be promulgated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the timeline for issuance of the formula is not specified in the text provided).
  • The bill would become part of Massachusetts General Laws by adding a new Section 237 to Chapter 111 and by amending Chapter 69, Section 8A.

Legislative status and next steps

  • As of the latest actions, the bill was reported favorably by the Public Health Committee and referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.
  • It reflects a policy shift toward mandatory trauma-response readiness in public-facing spaces, with a parallel emphasis on training and liability protections for bystanders acting in emergencies.

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

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