March 25, 2008–SCA Foundation–If legislative activity in the New York State Assembly related to the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) is any indication, there is growing awareness here that victims of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) deserve ready access to this lifesaving treatment. At least 15 laws and one administrative code addressing AED training and use have been enacted by the NY state legislature. In addition, 27 bills are pending.
Legislative efforts to save SCA victims began in New York 10 years ago, with an amendment in 1998 to NYS Public Health Law Article 30/3000-B. This legislation authorized Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) programs and encouraged greater acquisition, deployment and use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in communities statewide.
Since then, AED programs have been mandated in the following locations:
Public schools and charter schools (2002)
Health clubs with a membership of 500 or more
Public buildings (2005)
Places of public assembly (passed 2006, effective September 2007) with an occupancy of at least 1,000 people, such as theaters, stadiums, ballparks, gymnasiums, field houses, arenas, civic centers, concert halls, recital halls, indoor and outdoor amphitheatres or other auditoriums used for the presentation of musical renditions or concerts (with certain exclusions).
In addition, some municipalities have enacted additional requirements. For example:
The Town of Greenburgh in Westchester County requires all nursing home and adult care facilities to have AEDs on their premises.
In the County of Suffolk, all health clubs, regardless of size, are required to have AEDs at their facilities.
Legislator Michael Carcacciolo, Suffolk County, NY, adopted a comprehensive camp law that would require all day, overnight and athletic camps to be equipped with an AED and trained personnel. Suffolk County Executive, Steve Levy signed IR1693-AEDs in County Day Camps into law in October 2004.
The Acompora Legacy
At least 40 lives have been saved thanks to the schools mandate alone, according to Karen and John Acompora, who became leading state and national advocates for AED placement after the death of their son Louis during a high school lacrosse game on March 25, 2000.
"The unrelenting dedication of all those involved with educating the public about sudden cardiac arrest has made an incredible advance in saving lives from sudden cardiac arrest," said Karen Acompora. "Our children are our most precious resource and it is our responsibility to make sure they are safe in school and on the athletic field."
"We join thousands of medical personnel, EMS workers, school nurses, lay persons and other parents who have lost a child to sudden cardiac arrest in the hopes of preventing the deaths of other young people," Acompora added. "Many people now live full lives after a sudden cardiac arrest thanks to early CPR and the prompt use of a nearby AED."
Further information about federal and state laws and bills is available at this link:
http://www.sca-aware.org/aed-laws.php.
For additional information, visit http://assembly.state.ny.us/, www.remsco.org, http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/sss/HealthServices/AEDs/, and www.la12.org.
Summary of New York Laws and Bills
NY Laws
Tax Law § 210 Computation of tax.
Tax Law § 606 Credits against tax.
Tax Law § 1456 Credits.
Tax Law § 1511 Credits.
Public Buildings Law § 140 Fire and emergency protection in public buildings.
Public Health Law § 225 Public health council; powers and duties; sanitary
Public Health Law § 3000-A Emergency medical treatment.
Public Health Law § 3000-B Automated external defibrillators
Education Law Article 17 INSTRUCTION IN CERTAIN SUBJECTS
Education Law § 804-D Automated external defibrillator instruction.
Education Law Article 19 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICE
Education Law § 917 On-site cardiac automated external defibrillator.
General Business Law Article 30 HEALTH CLUB SERVICES
General Business Law § 621 Definitions.
General Business Law § 627-A Automated external defibrillator requirements.
NYC Administrative Code
New York City Administrative Code § 17-188
NY Bills
A00616 Directs that any state police vehicle on patrol shall be equipped with automated external defibrillator
A01044 Requires a building or facility to indicate at the building`s entrance, the location of an automated external defibrillator
A02846 Relates to requiring automated external defibrillators to be available in all state police barracks and state police vehicles
A02988 Requires certain public and private swimming facilities to retain a defibrillator and lifeguard staff trained in its use
A03046 Requires that motor vehicles operated by members of the state police while in the performance of his or her duties be equipped with automated external defibrillators
A04459 Requires the MTA and the NYTA to make automated external defibrillators available on every train
A04685 Establishes that local laws related to certain health clubs and automated external defibrillators shall not be pre-empted
A05084 Relates to automated external defibrillators in N.Y. city
A05149 Increases the amount of a tax credit for automated external defibrillators
A05807 Requires all police and sheriff vehicles to be equipped with automated external defibrillators
A06223 Directs the commissioner of health to provide each nursing home, regulated by the state, with an external defibrillator
A06239 Relates to requiring automated external defibrillators to be available in all state police barracks, sub-stations and vehicles
A06370 Requires a golf course to provide and maintain on-site automated external defibrillators
A07100 Requires school districts to establish policies for the placement of automated external defibrillator equipment
A08491 Requires that motor vehicles operated by members of the state police while in the performance of his or her duties be equipped with automated external defibrillators
S00309 Requires a golf course to provide and maintain on-site automated external defibrillators
S00586 Authorizes public access defibrillation providers to possess and carry automated external defibrillators in personal motor vehicles
S01227 Requires port authority of New York and New Jersey to make automated external defibrillators available throughout major air terminals
S01344 Requires certain public and private swimming facilities to retain a defibrillator and lifeguard staff trained in its use
S01528 Requires school districts to establish policies for the placement of automated external defibrillator equipment
S01548 Requires a building or facility to indicate at the building`s entrance, the location of an automated external defibrillator
S01550 Directs that any state police vehicle on patrol shall be equipped with automated external defibrillator
S02186 Increases the amount of a tax credit for automated external defibrillators
S02187 Relates to automated external defibrillators in N.Y. city
S03027 Relates to permitting the possession of external defibrillators by certain persons
S03259 Establishes that local laws related to certain health clubs and automated external defibrillators shall not be pre-empted
S05351 Requires the MTA and the NYTA to make automated external defibrillators available on every train