Representative Steven S. Howitt supports bill requiring life-saving defibrillators at sporting events

Boston – State Representative Steven S. Howitt (R-Seekonk) recently supported legislation that would require at least one automated external defibrillator (AED) to be available at local sporting events to ensure a quick response should an athlete or spectator suffer a medical emergency.

House Bill 4993, which received initial approval from the House of Representatives on a vote of 154-1 on January 28, requires an AED to be available at any “public stadium, sports center, gymnasium or other facility hosting or providing athletic or sporting events” at all times, with at least one trained employee or volunteer capable of operating the device in attendance. The designated employee or volunteer must be trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an AED in accordance with American Heart Association, Inc. or American National Red Cross standards.

Representative Howitt noted that AEDs have been proven to help save lives by stabilizing an individual who has suffered a heart attack until medical personnel arrive.

During floor debate, Representative Howitt supported an amendment, filed by Representative Paul Frost (R-Auburn), to ensure the new AED requirements do not create an unfunded mandate. The amendment, which was defeated on a vote of 26-130, called for the creation of a Massachusetts AED Communities Fund to assist cities and towns with the costs related to the purchase of AEDs and the associated infrastructure needed to ensure the devices remain fully charged. The Department of Public Health (DPH) had been designated to administer this fund, which would have been subject to appropriation.

Representative Howitt also supported a second Frost amendment to provide an exemption for communities and sporting events taking place at fields or facilities that do not have access to a permanent power supply. The amendment was defeated on a voice vote.

According to Representative Howitt, DPH will be responsible for promulgating regulations and guidelines to implement House Bill 4993’s provisions. School-sponsored athletic events taking place at a school gymnasium are exempt from these provisions, since public schools are already subject to certain AED requirements under Chapter 443 of the Acts of 2017, a state law that took effect in 2018.

House Bill 4993 now moves to the Senate for their consideration.