Alabama State AED Law

Summary of Requirements
	Physician	Must have involvement of a licensed physician or medical authority in the site’s AED program to ensure compliance with training, notification, and maintenance.
	CPR/AED Training	Expected defibrillator users should receive appropriate training in an American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or other nationally recognized cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) course and AED, or an equivalent nationally recognized course.
	EMS Notification	A person or entity who acquires an automated external defibrillator shall notify the local emergency communications center or dispatch center of the existing location and type of AED.
	Maintenance Program	The AED must be maintained and tested according to the manufacturer’s operational guidelines.
	Notification of Use	Any person who renders emergency care or treatment of a person in sudden cardiac arrest by using an AED must activate the emergency medical services system as soon as possible.

Good Samaritan Protection
Rescuer	Purchaser	Property Owner	Physician	Trainer
✓	No Current Legislation	✓	✓	✓
“(e) A person or entity, who in good faith and without compensation renders emergency care or treatment to a person suffering or appearing to suffer from cardiac arrest, which may include the use of an automated external defibrillator, shall be immune from civil liability for any personal injury as a result of care or treatment or as a result of any act or failure to act in providing or arranging further medical treatment where the person acts as an ordinary prudent person would have acted under the same or similar circumstances, except damages that may result for the gross negligence of the person rendering emergency care. This immunity shall extend to the licensed physician or medical authority who is involved in automated external defibrillator site placement, the person who provides training in CPR and the use of the automated external defibrillator, and the person or entity responsible for the site where the automated external defibrillator is located. This section specifically excludes from the provision of immunity any designers, manufacturers, or sellers of automated external defibrillators for any claims that may be brought against such entities based upon current Alabama law.”

Laws / Legislation
Reference	Date	Summary
HB 16	2014	To amend Section 6-5-332 of the Code of Alabama 1975, the Good Samaritan Law, to extend protection to volunteer caregivers.
HB 364	2014	To amend Section 6-5-332 of the Code of Alabama 1975, the Good Samaritan Law, to provide civil immunity to an entity or individual that provides access to a safe place in times of severe weather and renders emergency care to a person suffering or appearing to suffer from cardiac arrest, which may include the use of an automated external defibrillator.
HB 755	2012	To amend Section 6-5-332.3, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to an automated external defibrillator; to remove the requirement that a defibrillator requests delivery of an electrical impulse.
SB 306	2009	Effective May 15, 2009, Alabama state law requires that an automated external defibrillator be placed in all public schools serving grades K-12.
SB 280	2008	An act that includes a $1 million appropriation for heart defibrillators to the Department of Education.
HB 68	2006	Effective May 1, 2006 an amendment to the Alabama Good Samaritan Law grants immunity protection to any person who administers first aid, including the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), in good faith and without compensation to a victim of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), or who appears to be suffering from an SCA. Such persons shall be immune from civil liability for any injuries suffered by the victim because of the emergency treatment or any failure on the part of the rescuer to provide or arrange further medical treatment, unless gross negligence is proven. Licensed engineers, architects, surveyors, contractors, subcontractors or any individual working under the direct supervision of a licensed individual are also protected from civil liability under provisions of this amendment.
HB 504	2003	Effective June 2003, the State Legislature of Alabama enacted a law that urges manufacturers of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to create a registry of AEDs. This law also states that owners of AEDs be urged by the AED manufacturers to report the removal of an AED unit by the owner to the Alabama Council of Emergency Medical Services so that the local 911 center can take appropriate action in case of an SCA emergency.
Code of Alabama 22-1-12	2002	Rules providing for a comprehensive plan for training, certification and credentialing of cardiac care providers in the use of AEDs.
Code of Alabama 6-5-332.3	1999	Rules governing the purchase or ownership of an AED by a person or entity that: Ensure proper training of AED users, That regular and proper maintenance of said AED is performed, That a licensed physician or medical authority is involved in the site’s AED program, That the emergency medical services system is activated by the person rendering emergency care as soon as possible, and That the manufacturer, wholesale supplier or retailer of an AED notifies the purchaser of these requirements.

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