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Senate backs AED access and layperson-use protections, citing life-saving potential
Summary
House Bill 31, which adds protections and guidance for layperson use of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs), was presented as a life-saving measure and passed the Senate; supporters said the devices are easy to use and should be placed in public facilities.
The Senate moved House Bill 31 forward after proponents described the technology's life-saving potential and urged broader public access and legal protections for lay users.
Senator Butters, presenting HB31, described a demonstration at a South Jordan fire station and noted how straightforward modern AEDs are to operate. "This bill also makes it to where someone thinks that they're having someone thinks that someone else is having a heart attack, they can use this defibrillator without and be held harmless rather than be sued," the sponsor said, emphasizing Good Samaritan-type protections. He recounted that a third grader was shown how to use an AED and "it took the third grader about 4 minutes and they got it right." Senator Valentine described his long-term involvement with AED legislation and said that modern AEDs prevent operator error by determining whether a shock is required.
Supporters noted local implementations: South Jordan placed AEDs in public areas, libraries and schools. The Senate called and recorded the vote with 27 yea and 0 nay (2 absent) and advanced the bill toward third-reading calendar final action.
Next steps: The bill will be placed for final action on the third-reading calendar and is expected to move through the remaining procedural steps.
