Committee advances AED mandate for nursing homes and debates hospital global-budget plan; votes kept open until 2 p.m.

The Public Health Committee on Feb. 19 voted to advance two items for further legislative action and hearings: SB 1190, which would require nursing homes and assisted living facilities to provide and maintain automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and ensure at least one staff member per shift trained in CPR and AED use; and HB 6836, an enabling bill that would authorize the Department of Social Services to implement a hospital global budget payment methodology if hospitals elect to participate in the federal AHEAD demonstration program.

SB 1190: An AED requirement for nursing homes and assisted-living facilities

SB 1190, as presented to the committee, would require administrators of nursing homes and residential care communities to provide and maintain an AED in a central location, to make its location known to staff, residents and visitors, to maintain and test the device according to the manufacturer's guidelines, and to ensure that at least one staff member on duty per shift is trained in CPR and AED use under American Red Cross or American Heart Association standards by Jan. 1, 2026.

Representative Claris Teacher (Representative) said support for the bill was strong: “I will be supporting this bill today. I think it's it's critically…