AED Bill Takes Effect October 24

[October 2, 2024]

HB 147, which requires the placement of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in schools and recreation centers, was passed by the Ohio General Assembly in June; signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine in July; and will take effect later this month. State lawmakers had been working on the bill since February 2023.

The new law specifically requires AEDs in all public and chartered nonpublic schools and each municipal sports and recreation location, except in townships and villages with populations of less than 5,000. The law also:

• Modifies training requirements related to AEDs in public and chartered nonpublic schools.
• Requires the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) to develop a model emergency action plan for the use of AEDs by public and chartered nonpublic schools, youth sports organizations, and municipal sports and recreation locations.
• Requires each public and chartered nonpublic school and youth sports organization, before each athletic season, to hold an informational meeting regarding the symptoms and warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest for student and youth athletes.

An explanation of the law is here.