By Bob Katzen

The House 154-1, approved legislation that would require an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) to be present at all public stadiums, sports centers, gymnasiums or other facilities hosting or providing athletic or sporting events. The measure does not apply to a school-sponsored athletic event at a school gymnasium.

The measure also would require the presence of at least one employee of the facility or a volunteer that has completed a training course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and in the use of an AED; or a volunteer that has completed a training course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation that meets the standards established by the American Heart Association or the American National Red Cross.

If no employee or volunteer is available, the venue operator, or their designee would be required to make best efforts to identify readily available volunteers, trained in the use of an AED, present at the facility. The request for volunteers may be made through a public announcement.

Another provision requires that a placard be installed at each public entrance to the facility with a map of the location of any AED at the facility.

“With this bill, everyone has the chance to be a lifesaver and not a bystander,” said sponsor Rep. Marjorie Decker (D-Cambridge).

Rep. John Gaskey (R-Carver), the only member to vote against the bill, said he voted no “because it’s more evidence of the state trying to legislate safety.” Gaskey continued, “As stated, there are groups raising money to provide AEDs. Instead of mandating they be installed, forcing future costs onto struggling communities, we should be encouraging their adoption and helping these groups find more ways to make AEDs available at sporting events.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.)

Rep. Christine Barber Yes Rep. Mike Connolly Yes Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven Yes