AEDs to be Required at Sports and Recreation Locations

Last Tuesday, Governor DeWine signed House Bill 47, which requires Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), at specified sports and recreation locations. The bill, which becomes effective October 21, requires the controlling authorities of municipal sports and recreation locations to place an AED in each location under their control. The act defines “sports and recreation location” as indoor recreation centers and facilities, gymnasiums, swimming pools, and playing fields that are designated, operated, and maintained by any local government with more than 5,000 residents. Passive recreation locations such as trails are not covered by the legislation.

In addition, each controlling authority must have a sufficient number of staff persons at each sports and recreation location successfully complete an appropriate training course in the use of AEDs and adopt an emergency action plan for their use. The Ohio Department of Health has been tasked with developing a model emergency action plan that should clarify questions that the legislation does not specifically address.

There are a number of grant programs available to help with the cost of AEDs. aedgrant.com provides $1,300 grants per device and has a fairly simple, one-page application. We will let you know as we hear about other successful grant programs.