By Bob Katzen
The House 26-130, rejected an amendment that would create a Massachusetts AED Communities Fund to help cities and towns pay for AEDs at public stadiums, sports centers, gymnasiums or other facilities hosting or providing athletic or sporting events, and also pay for any necessary equipment and infrastructure to properly hold and charge the devices.
Amendment supporters said that without this amendment, the bill is an unfunded state mandate forced on already financially struggling cities and towns. They noted that the total cost of acquiring an AEDs and housing it outside at sporting events is between $10,000 and $25,000 each.
“Automated External Defibrillators are essential because they can be used to provide immediate treatment to someone who has suffered a heart attack and help to stabilize them until first responders arrive,” said House Minority Leader Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “However, there are costs associated with maintaining and storing AEDs to ensure they are always fully charged and ready to use. I supported the creation of a Massachusetts AED Communities Fund as a vehicle to help cities and towns offset the costs associated with the purchase and upkeep of these life-saving devices and related infrastructure.”
Rep. Paul Frost (R-Auburn), the sponsor of the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to comment on the passage of the proposal.
Reps. Marjorie Decker (D-Cambridge) and Russell Holmes (D-Boston), the co-sponsors of an earlier version of the legislation, and supporters of this new version, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them to comment on the amendment.
Amendment opponents said that amendment supporters are using the term “unfunded mandate” loosely, acting as if the Legislature has never required cities and towns to do something that will save lives. They noted that existing fire codes and food safety codes are “unfunded mandates” but they are important enough for the state to require communities to follow them.
They also noted there are several nonprofit organizations, including the Preston Settles Memorial Fund (PSMF), that are helping and will continue to help cities and towns pay for the AEDs. PSMF was founded in memory of Preston Blair Settles, who passed away at just 15 years old due to a sudden cardiac arrest caused by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy while playing basketball. Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death among young athletes, representing nearly one-third of all athletic field deaths in the U.S.
(A “Yes” vote is for creating the Massachusetts AED Communities Fund to help cities and towns pay for AEDs. A “No” vote is against creating it.)
Rep. Christine Barber No Rep. Mike Connolly No Rep. Paul Donato No Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven No