Panel advances bill requiring AEDs at government sporting facilities, sets delayed enforcement date

Sen. Stanley presented Senate Bill 87 to require operational automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at government sporting facilities used for organized athletic activities. The substitute narrows the definition of "local government sporting facility" to the portions of facilities used for organized sports (not entire large parks), sets tiered AED requirements by facility size (smaller sites require one AED; larger sites require more), requires a local plan for placement, care and use, removes a previously proposed maximum distance requirement, and delays enforcement until 07/01/2028 to allow budgeting.

Sen. Stanley urged the measure citing survival statistics: she said survival drops roughly 10 percentage points for every minute without defibrillation and noted average EMS response times. Delegate Simons and others asked technical questions about whether devices would be permanently mounted weatherproof boxes or movable kits; Mike Sherman (Henrico County) explained the substitute allows localities to develop plans that could use movable, core kits that local staff move and maintain rather than permanently mounting devices everywhere.

Supporters included Delia Maguire, who said she has a similar bill for nursing and assisted‑living facilities and will support SB87, and Ed Rhodes (Virginia Association of First Responders) who described common maintenance practices and urged passage. The subcommittee voted to report SB87 and refer it to Appropriations by an 8‑0 vote.