AED State Laws
Requirements
Tennessee State AED Law
All public schools in Tennessee are required to have AEDs, and Good Samaritan legislation encourages the use of these devices.
Check out which groups might be impacted by the Tennessee legislation through exploring the links below.
Summary of Requirements
| Physician | A licensed physician must supervise each time an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is used for a cardiac arrest and the data is reported to the supervising physician. |
| CPR/AED Training | Any person that expects to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) must receive certification from the American Heart Association in CPR and AED training. |
| EMS Notification | The owner of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) must register the device with local EMS on the location, existence, and type of AED within thirty days of acquiring. |
| Maintenance Program | An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) must be maintained and tested according to the manufacturer’s operational instructions. |
| Notification of Use | Any person who uses an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in the case of an emergency cardiac arrest must notify the EMS system as soon as possible. |
Good Samaritan Protection
| Reference | Summary |
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Provides Good Samaritan protection for use of an AED and establishes guidelines for AED programs. |
Laws / Legislation
| Reference | Summary |
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The Smart Heart Act requires all 9-12 high schools in the state of Tennessee to have AEDs on site, a cardiac emergency preparedness plan in place, and CPR/AED training for school personnel. |
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Requires, rather than encourages, all public middle and elementary schools to place one or more automated external defibrillators within the school. – Amends TCA Title 49 and Title 68, Chapter 140, Part 4. |
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Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-2-122(a), is amended by deleting the subsection in its entirety and substituting instead: All public high schools shall have automated external defibrillator (AED) devices. |
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Sections § 68-140-402 and § 68-140-404 § 68-140-409 shall only apply to situations involving emergency use of an AED and in no case shall it apply where there is a duty to provide care. Nor shall it apply where a doctor has prescribed use of an AED for a patient’s use in the patient’s private home. |
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Expected AED users shall complete training in CPR and the use of an AED through a course approved by the Tennessee emergency medical services board. |
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An individual providing training to others in an approved program on the use of an AED shall be held harmless by the employer of the trainer for damages caused by training that was negligent. |
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The entity responsible for the AED program shall not be liable for any civil liability for any personal injury that results from an act or omission that does not amount to willful or wanton misconduct or gross negligence if the applicable provisions and program established under § 68-140-404 and the rules adopted by the department pursuant to § 68-140-405 have been met by the entity and have been followed by the individuals using the AED. |
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Specifies the rules, concerning AEDs, that shall be adopted by the department of health. |
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Outlines the requirements for an entity to use or allow the use of an AED. |
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Outlines instructions to ensure the public health and safety for a person that acquires an AED. |
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Defines: Automated External Defibrillator. |
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It is the intent of the general assembly that an AED may be used in accordance with § 68-140-403 for the purpose of saving the life of another person in cardiac arrest. |
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Outlines AED requirements for dental offices. |
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Outlines AED requirements for public schools. |
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Outlines a comprehensive plan for training, certification, and credentialing in the use of AEDs, according to state board of education. |
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Outlines instructions to ensure the public health and safety for a person that acquires an AED. |
All AED State Laws
This information is for informational purposes only and not intended as legal advice. While we make every attempt to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, AED laws and requirements change frequently. We encourage you to refer to your legal counsel or state agencies with questions about your state's AED laws or AED Good Samaritan requirements.