bill requiring a defibrillator anywhere 100 people gather

The text as introduced · 447 words

90R3911 KRM-F

By: Lalani
H.B. No. 577

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to automated external defibrillators at high-occupancy

facilities and mass gatherings.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 779, Health and Safety Code, is amended

by adding Sections 779.009 and 779.010 to read as follows:

Sec. 779.009. MANDATORY AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR

AT HIGH-OCCUPANCY FACILITY. (a) In this section, "high-occupancy

facility" means a building or facility that has an occupancy

capacity of at least 100 individuals and is open to the public or

regularly used for public or private gatherings. The term includes

an event venue, banquet hall, gymnasium, fitness center, theater,

place of assembly, and any other similar building or facility.

(b) A person who owns or operates a high-occupancy facility

shall ensure at least one automated external defibrillator is

readily available at the facility. The person shall:

(1) place the defibrillator in a conspicuous and

easily accessible location;

(2) post signs clearly indicating the location of the

defibrillator;

(3) ensure the defibrillator is available while the

facility is open to the public or occupied; and

(4) maintain and inspect the defibrillator in

accordance with Section 779.003.

(c) The executive commissioner of the Health and Human

Services Commission may adopt rules necessary to implement this

section.

Sec. 779.010. MANDATORY AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR

AT MASS GATHERINGS. (a) This section applies only to an organizer

of a public or private gathering at which at least 100 individuals

are reasonably expected to attend.

(b) An organizer shall ensure at least one automated

external defibrillator is readily available at the location at

which a gathering described by Subsection (a) is held. The

organizer shall:

(1) place the defibrillator in a conspicuous and

easily accessible area of the location;

(2) ensure the defibrillator is available throughout

the duration of the gathering; and

(3) ensure the defibrillator has been maintained and

inspected in accordance with Section 779.003.

(c) This section does not require an organizer to provide an

automated external defibrillator if the location at which a

gathering is held provides access to a defibrillator that meets the

requirements of this section.

(d) The executive commissioner of the Health and Human

Services Commission may adopt rules necessary to implement this

section.

SECTION 2. (a) Not later than December 1, 2027, the

executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission

shall adopt rules necessary to implement the changes in law made by

this Act.

(b) Notwithstanding Sections 779.009 and 779.010, Health

and Safety Code, as added by this Act, a person is not required to

comply with those sections until January 1, 2028.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2027.