Pennsylvania State AED Law

Summary of Requirements
	Physician	Entities purchasing an automated external defibrillator must have physician approval for AED purchase. State EMS office recommends use of a physician medical director.
	CPR/AED Training	Expected AED users shall complete training in the use of an AED provided by the American National Red Cross or the American Heart Association or through an equivalent course of instruction approved by the department of health in consultation with a technical committee of the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council.
	EMS Notification	The Pennsylvania State EMS Office recommends notifying the regional EMS council and local EMS providers and/or local 911 centers of the implementation of an AED.
	Maintenance Program	The defibrillator must be maintained and tested according to the manufacturer’s operational guidelines.
	Notification of Use	A user of an AED must utilize available means to immediately contact and activate the emergency medical services system. Any appropriate data or information must be made available to emergency medical services personnel or other health care providers as requested.

Good Samaritan Protection
Rescuer	Purchaser	Property Owner	Physician	Trainer

Any individual who is trained to use an automated external defibrillator in accordance with subsection (C) and who in good faith uses an AED in an emergency shall not be liable for any civil damages as a result of any acts or omissions by such individual in using the AED, except any acts or omissions intentionally designed to harm or any grossly negligent acts or omissions which result in harm to the individual receiving the AED treatment. Any individual who lacks the training set forth in subsection (C), but who has access to an AED and in good faith uses an AED in an emergency as an ordinary reasonably prudent individual would do under the same or similar circumstances, shall receive immunity from civil damages as set forth in subsection (A).

Laws / Legislation
Reference	Date	Summary
HB 974	2014	Sets guidelines for AED programs in schools
SB 351	2011	Extends Good Samaritan law and requires entities acquiring AEDs to properly maintain them.
HB 1525	2011	Requires that health clubs with services offered during nonstaffed hours be equipped with an AED, panic button, emergency phone, and personal security device.
HB 2778	2010	Requires hotels to provide and maintain AEDs.
SB 628	2005	Extends Good Samaritan civil immunity in the use of an automated external defibrillator.
HB 996	2001	Establishes a one-time automatic external defibrillator program to assist school entities in acquiring automatic external defibrillator.
HB 1897	1998	Provides for Good Samaritan civil immunity for use of an automated external defibrillator.

The information posted on our website is not intended as legal advice and may contain inaccurate or incomplete information. We encourage you to contact your state representative should you require more information.