The bill amends Section 23-6.5-4 of the General Laws regarding "Automated External Defibrillators Required at Public Places and Healthcare Facilities." It introduces a new definition for "healthcare facility," which now includes centers for independent living as defined in 42-12.2-2, in addition to existing types of healthcare providers such as hospitals, nursing facilities, and outpatient clinics. The bill also removes the conjunction "and" from the list of healthcare facilities, which previously included physician ambulatory-surgery centers and podiatry ambulatory-surgery centers providing surgical treatment.

The purpose of this act is to ensure that automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are available at a broader range of healthcare facilities, thereby enhancing public safety in emergency situations. The act will take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
8366: 23-6.5-4