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SF 2804

Worker safety requirement to provide access to automatic defibrillators and trained operators establishment provision

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Zaynab Mohamed

Minnesota would require workplaces to provide automatic defibrillators and trained operators, expanding emergency cardiac care access as a workplace safety standard.

Referred to Labor
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Bill Summary · SF 2804

Legislative bill overview

SF 2804 requires Minnesota workplaces to provide access to automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) and maintain trained operators on-site or nearby. The bill establishes minimum standards for AED availability and staff training as a worker safety requirement, making defibrillator access a regulated workplace safety obligation similar to other emergency equipment mandates.

Why is this important

Sudden cardiac arrest can occur anywhere, and immediate access to an AED significantly improves survival rates—studies show survival rates drop roughly 7-10% for every minute without defibrillation. This bill would expand access beyond high-risk facilities (gyms, airports) to general workplaces, potentially saving lives during medical emergencies. It also creates consistency across Minnesota workplaces rather than relying on voluntary adoption.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost burden on small businesses: Compliance costs for AED equipment ($1,000-2,500 per unit), maintenance, training programs, and certification may disproportionately affect small employers and startups
  • Scope ambiguity: The bill language doesn't clearly define which workplaces are covered (all employers? minimum employee count threshold?) or what "nearby access" means for remote/distributed workforces
  • Training and liability questions: Who bears responsibility if trained operators are unavailable during an emergency, and whether workplace liability increases if an AED fails or is misused

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

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