New Jersey A 1853: Requires institution of higher education to have automatic external defibrillator on premises of each athletic facility and student center.

Bill Text

A1853 

ASSEMBLY, No. 1853 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

� 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman JAMES J. KENNEDY

District 22 (Somerset and Union)

Assemblyman WAYNE P. DEANGELO

District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblywomen Murphy, Haider, Park, Simmons and Assemblyman 
Miller

SYNOPSIS

���� Requires institution of higher education to have 
automatic external defibrillator on premises of each athletic facility and 
student center.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT 

���� Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative 
Counsel.

��

An Act concerning automatic external defibrillators and 
supplementing chapter 3B of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.� 

���� Be It 
Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of 
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.��� a. Notwithstanding the 
provisions of any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, an institution of 
higher education shall place an automated external defibrillator, as defined in 
section 2 of P.L.1999, c.34 (C.2A:62A-24), in an unlocked location in each 
athletic facility and student center with an appropriate identifying sign.� The 
defibrillator shall be accessible during the normal operating hours of the 
athletic facility or student center and within reasonable proximity of the 
institution�s athletic fields.

���� b.��� The institution of 
higher education shall ensure that:

���� (1)�� at least two staff 
members who are trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of the 
defibrillator, in accordance with the provisions of section 3 of P.L.1999, c.34 
(C.2A:62A-25), are in the athletic facility or student center during the normal 
operating hours; and

���� (2)�� each defibrillator is 
tested and maintained according to the manufacturer�s operational guidelines, 
and notification is provided to the appropriate first aid, ambulance, or rescue 
squad, or other appropriate emergency medical services provider regarding the 
defibrillator, the type acquired, and its location in accordance with section 3 
of P.L.1999, c.34 (C.2A:62A-25).

���� c.���� An institution of 
higher education and its staff shall, pursuant to the provisions of section 5 
of P.L.1999, c.34 (C.2A:62A-27), be immune from civil liability in the 
acquisition and use of a defibrillator pursuant to this section.

���� 2.��� This act shall take 
effect immediately.

STATEMENT

���� This bill requires an 
institution of higher education to place an automated external defibrillator in 
an unlocked location in each athletic facility and student center with an 
appropriate identifying sign.� The defibrillator will be accessible during the 
normal operating hours of the athletic facility or student center and within 
reasonable proximity of the institution�s athletic fields.

���� Under the bill, the institution 
is required to ensure that: 

���� (1)�� at least two staff 
members who are trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of the 
defibrillator are in the athletic facility or student center during the normal 
operating hours; and

���� (2)�� each defibrillator is 
tested and maintained according to the manufacturer�s operational guidelines, 
and notification is provided to the appropriate first aid, ambulance, or rescue 
squad, or other appropriate emergency medical services provider regarding the 
defibrillator, the type acquired, and its location.

���� An institution of higher 
education and its staff are granted immunity from civil liability in the 
acquisition and use of a defibrillator.