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Tennessee

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

Rescuer
Purchaser
Property owner
Physician
Trainer

TN Code § 63-6-218

Provides Good Samaritan protection for use of an AED and establishes guidelines for AED programs.

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Laws / Legislation

Smart Heart Act

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.

House Bill 776

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.

House Bill 521

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.

TN Code § 68-140-409

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.

TN Code § 68-140-408

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.

TN Code § 68-140-407

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.

TN Code § 68-140-406

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.

TN Code § 68-140-405

Specifies the rules, concerning AEDs, that shall be adopted by the department of health.

TN Code § 68-140-404

Outlines the requirements for an entity to use or allow the use of an AED.

TN Code § 68-140-403

Outlines instructions to ensure the public health and safety for a person that acquires an AED.

TN Code § 68-140-402

Defines: Automated External Defibrillator.

TN Code § 68-140-401

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.

TN Rules and Reg § 0460-02-.07

Outlines AED requirements for dental offices.

TN Code § 49-2-122

Outlines AED requirements for public schools.

TN Code § 49-6-1208

Outlines a comprehensive plan for training, certification, and credentialing in the use of AEDs, according to state board of education.

TN Rules and Reg § 1200-12-1-.19

Outlines instructions to ensure the public health and safety for a person that acquires an AED.

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