Juneau, Alaska – The Alaska House of Representatives voted to increase access to proven life-saving technology by repealing a section of state law that the Alaska Fire Chiefs Association said discouraged building owners and institutions from installing automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
AEDs provide verbal and written instructions and can be safely used by an untrained bystander to restore a normal cardiac rhythm in someone who is in sudden cardiac arrest.
House Bill 4, by Rep. Tammie Wilson, grants building owners and institutions the same immunity as Good Samaritans when administering aid. Current state law protects Good Samaritans from litigation while giving aid, but not building owners and institutions. The bill repeals sections of AS 09.65.087, “Civil liability for use of an automated external defibrillator,” while still protecting the intent of the law and its balance, holding those liable to gross negligence.
“Good, effective government should remove road blocks, especially in life/health/safety situations. That’s exactly what House Bill 4 does,” said Wilson, R-North Pole. “Thank you to the Alaska State Fire Chiefs Association for bringing this to our attention. By passing this bill, impediments in state law will be reduced, therefore promoting more access to AEDs.
“I would like to thank my colleagues for their support of this life saving legislation.”
HB4 now moves to the Alaska Senate.
