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Cardiac Arrest Survival Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-1466| House 
| Updated: 2/21/2025
Scott Franklin

Scott Franklin

Republican Representative

Florida

Cosponsors (9)
Darren Soto (Democratic)Jefferson Van Drew (Republican)Eugene Simon Vindman (Democratic)Ken Calvert (Republican)Gus M. Bilirakis (Republican)Kat Cammack (Republican)Donald S. Beyer (Democratic)Ben Cline (Republican)Gerald E. Connolly (Democratic)

Energy and Commerce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill seeks to amend the Public Health Service Act by establishing a nationally uniform baseline of civil liability protection for the emergency use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) . Congress finds that the current inconsistent state "Good Samaritan" laws create liability concerns that inhibit the widespread deployment of these life-saving devices. By providing clear protections, the legislation aims to encourage more entities to acquire and make AEDs available, ultimately saving lives from cardiac arrest. The bill grants immunity from civil liability to several categories of individuals and entities. This includes persons who use or attempt to use an AED in a perceived medical emergency, owners, occupants, or managers of premises where an AED is used or taken from, and owner-acquirers of AEDs. Immunity for owner-acquirers is contingent on proper maintenance of the device according to manufacturer guidelines. Significantly, these protections apply regardless of whether the AED is marked, registered, or if the user has received specific training. However, immunity does not extend to cases involving willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence , reckless misconduct, or conscious indifference that proximately caused harm. Furthermore, licensed or certified health professionals acting within their scope of employment, or healthcare entities, are generally not covered by these immunity provisions. The legislation preempts state laws that would allow for civil liability where federal immunity applies, but it does not create new causes of action or mandate AED placement. It defines a "perceived medical emergency" as a situation where a reasonable person believes an individual is experiencing a life-threatening cardiopulmonary condition requiring immediate medical response.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-1227
Cardiac Arrest Survival Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-1012
Cardiac Arrest Survival Act of 2023
Feb 21, 2025
Introduced in House
Feb 21, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-1227
    Cardiac Arrest Survival Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-1012
    Cardiac Arrest Survival Act of 2023


  • February 21, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • February 21, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Health

Cardiovascular and respiratory healthCivil actions and liabilityEmergency medical services and trauma careHealth care qualityHealth technology, devices, supplies

Cardiac Arrest Survival Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-1466| House 
| Updated: 2/21/2025
This bill seeks to amend the Public Health Service Act by establishing a nationally uniform baseline of civil liability protection for the emergency use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) . Congress finds that the current inconsistent state "Good Samaritan" laws create liability concerns that inhibit the widespread deployment of these life-saving devices. By providing clear protections, the legislation aims to encourage more entities to acquire and make AEDs available, ultimately saving lives from cardiac arrest. The bill grants immunity from civil liability to several categories of individuals and entities. This includes persons who use or attempt to use an AED in a perceived medical emergency, owners, occupants, or managers of premises where an AED is used or taken from, and owner-acquirers of AEDs. Immunity for owner-acquirers is contingent on proper maintenance of the device according to manufacturer guidelines. Significantly, these protections apply regardless of whether the AED is marked, registered, or if the user has received specific training. However, immunity does not extend to cases involving willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence , reckless misconduct, or conscious indifference that proximately caused harm. Furthermore, licensed or certified health professionals acting within their scope of employment, or healthcare entities, are generally not covered by these immunity provisions. The legislation preempts state laws that would allow for civil liability where federal immunity applies, but it does not create new causes of action or mandate AED placement. It defines a "perceived medical emergency" as a situation where a reasonable person believes an individual is experiencing a life-threatening cardiopulmonary condition requiring immediate medical response.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-1227
Cardiac Arrest Survival Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-1012
Cardiac Arrest Survival Act of 2023
Feb 21, 2025
Introduced in House
Feb 21, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-1227
    Cardiac Arrest Survival Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-1012
    Cardiac Arrest Survival Act of 2023


  • February 21, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • February 21, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Scott Franklin

Scott Franklin

Republican Representative

Florida

Cosponsors (9)
Darren Soto (Democratic)Jefferson Van Drew (Republican)Eugene Simon Vindman (Democratic)Ken Calvert (Republican)Gus M. Bilirakis (Republican)Kat Cammack (Republican)Donald S. Beyer (Democratic)Ben Cline (Republican)Gerald E. Connolly (Democratic)

Energy and Commerce Committee

Health

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Cardiovascular and respiratory healthCivil actions and liabilityEmergency medical services and trauma careHealth care qualityHealth technology, devices, supplies