AEDs now required in New York schools

May 8, 2002

New York has become the first state in the nation to require automated external defibrillators in schools. According to the Long Island News Day, Senate Bill 6851, introduced by Senators John Kuhl, Jr., and James Lack, and Assembly Bill 10577, introduced by Assemblymen Harvey Weisenberg and Brian Higgins, identical bills, were signed into law on May 7th by Governor George Pataki. The new law requires school districts, boards of cooperative educational services, county vocational education and extension boards and charter schools to keep at least one functional AED on their premises. It also requires that an AED must be available at school-sponsored athletic events, whether on campus or off site. The act takes effect on September 1, 2002.

For the text of the law click here, www.senate.state.ny.us, and then click on the "Bills/Laws" button on the navigation bar on the left-hand side. The bill number is A8779-A.