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Read. Follow. Verify.Massachusetts bill requires automated external defibrillators at municipal athletic fields, parks, and schools
Last action · March 16, 2026: Accompanied a study order, see H5234Sponsors: Marcus Vaughn and 1 other
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What This Bill Would Do
Municipalities and school districts across Massachusetts must provide and maintain s (AEDs) at athletic fields, parks, playgrounds, and school facilities under House Bill 2556. The measure mandates CPR and AED training for parks staff, school employees, and sports officials, while establishing liability protections for staff who render emergency care.
Local governments, school districts, and private schools face new operational mandates to purchase equipment and schedule certified training for athletic and recreational staff.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Municipalities
Municipalities must purchase and maintain AEDs at all municipal parks, playgrounds, and athletic fields, and provide mandatory training for relevant staff.
School districts and private schools
Educational institutions must install AEDs at every school facility and athletic field, employ certified staff, and provide mandatory staff training.
Parks and recreation and school staff
Staff members, sports coaches, umpires, and referees must complete mandatory CPR and AED training.
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
The department must process hardship waivers, provide lists of grants and funding sources, and establish implementation regulations in consultation with the Department of Public Health.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which facilities are required to have automated external defibrillators under this bill?
Who is required to receive CPR and AED training?
Can schools get help paying for the required AEDs?
What happens if a school cannot comply with the AED requirements?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
4 actions- Mar 16, 2026HouseAccompanied a study order, see H5234
- Mar 24, 2025JointHearing scheduled for 04/02/2025 from 09:00 AM-02:00 PM in Gardner Auditorium
- Feb 27, 2025SenateSenate concurred
- Feb 27, 2025HouseCommitteeReferred to the committee on Public Health
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
malegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz35Current news / social attention level
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