HB 2480 (Pennsylvania, 2025-2026) – Summary
Purpose and intent
- The bill mandates the installation and accessibility of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at utility or electrical worksites.
- It assigns duties to the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) to implement, enforce, and oversee compliance.
- It establishes penalties for violations and aims to improve cardiac arrest response and survival at high-risk industrial sites.
Key provisions and changes
- AED Accessibility at Worksites
- Utility or electrical worksites are required to have at least one AED readily available.
- The bill may specify placement standards (e.g., centrally located, clearly marked, and accessible during all shifts) and maintenance expectations (regular checks, battery/pad replacement, and functional testing), though exact technical requirements would be spelled out in the final text.
- DLI Duties and Enforcement
- DLI would be responsible for establishing rules, regulations, or standards to implement AED requirements.
- The department would oversee compliance, verification, and enforcement across affected workplaces.
- Potentially includes inspections, reporting obligations, and procedures for notifying the department of noncompliance.
- Penalties
- The bill imposes penalties for noncompliance with AED requirements.
- Penalty structure could include fines, corrective-action timelines, or other enforcement measures, calibrated to ensure reasonable compliance without undue burden on smaller operators.
- Scope and applicability
- Applies specifically to utility or electrical worksites within the Commonwealth.
- May include clarifications on what constitutes an “electrical worksite” and which personnel or contractors are covered.
- Related responsibilities
- Employers would be required to designate an individual responsible for AED readiness and maintenance.
- Training and awareness requirements for staff or designated personnel could be included or referenced in implementing regulations.
Who would be affected
- Employers operating utility or electrical worksites in Pennsylvania.
- On-site workers at these facilities (employees, contractors, and subcontractors) who would benefit from AED readiness.
- The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, which would issue standards, oversee compliance, and enforce penalties.
- Potentially, vendors or service providers supplying AED equipment and maintenance services to eligible sites.
Timelines and procedural aspects
- The bill would set effective dates for compliance after enactment, with phased or immediate applicability depending on the final language.
- DLI would have a period to develop and publish regulatory standards guiding implementation.
- Penalties would apply after the compliance deadline or following notice and an opportunity to cure, as defined in the statute or regulations.
Notes
- This summary reflects the bill’s stated aims and typical regulatory structure for AED mandates. The exact regulatory language, including specific AED model requirements, maintenance frequencies, inspection intervals, and detailed penalty amounts, will be defined in the final bill text and subsequent DLI regulations.
- Sponsors listed include multiple co-sponsors, indicating bipartisan or cross-chamber support in principle for improving emergency readiness at critical worksites.
