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SB 24MARYLANDSession 2026State BillSigned into law
Enacted

Maryland Revises Public Access Automated External Defibrillator Program Requirements

Original title: State Emergency Medical Services Board - Public Access Automated External Defibrillator Program - Revisions

Last action · April 14, 2026: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 92

Companion · HB 276same policy, House version
Bill progressHistory & official text ↓
Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Law

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Public stanceCommunity reactions are separate from the official record and reporting.

What This Bill Does

Maryland updates its Public Access Automated External Defibrillator Program by establishing designated AED coordinators, removing regional council oversight committees, and exempting law enforcement patrol vehicle AEDs from certification rules, effective October 1, 2026.

Why it matters

Grocery stores, restaurants, and entities maintaining automated external defibrillators face modified compliance standards, reporting duties, and coordinator responsibilities under state emergency health rules.

Background
  • The Public Access Automated External Defibrillator Program in Maryland governs the certification, placement, and maintenance of automated external defibrillators in public and commercial spaces. context
  • Senate Bill 24 was introduced during the 2026 regular session and approved by Governor Wes Moore on April 14, 2026. context

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Registered entities

Must designate an AED coordinator, maintain equipment, report AED usage, and meet updated compliance standards to retain valid certification.

Directly affected

Grocery stores and restaurants

Must register their name with the Program and maintain device functionality according to manufacturer and FDA standards.

Directly affected

Law enforcement agencies

Are exempt from obtaining certificates for automated external defibrillators deployed in patrol vehicles.

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

What is the role of an AED coordinator under the revised law?
An AED coordinator is an individual designated by a registered entity to ensure compliance, maintain equipment functionality according to manufacturer and FDA standards, and promote awareness of the location and operation of the AED among potential operators.
Do law enforcement agencies need a certificate for AEDs in patrol vehicles?
No, law enforcement agencies are explicitly exempt from being required to obtain a certificate for an AED deployed in a patrol vehicle.
What are the specific certification requirements for grocery stores and restaurants?
Grocery stores and restaurants must register their name with the Program and maintain the functionality of each AED and related equipment in accordance with manufacturer and FDA standards.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

14 actions
  1. Apr 14, 2026Governor of MarylandEnrolled
    Approved by the Governor - Chapter 92
  2. Apr 3, 2026SenateFloor
    Returned Passed
  3. Apr 2, 2026HouseFloor
    Third Reading Passed (125-8)
  4. Apr 1, 2026HouseFloor
    Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
  5. Apr 1, 2026HouseCommittee
    Favorable Report by Health
  6. Mar 17, 2026House
    Hearing 3/25 at 1:00 p.m.
Show 8 earlier actions
  1. Mar 6, 2026HouseCommittee
    Referred Health
  2. Mar 5, 2026SenateFloor
    Third Reading Passed (43-0)
  3. Mar 3, 2026SenateFloor
    Second Reading Passed with Amendments
  4. Mar 3, 2026Senate
    Favorable with Amendments { 223826/1 Adopted
  5. Mar 2, 2026SenateCommittee
    Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
  6. Jan 16, 2026Senate
    Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m.
  7. Jan 14, 2026SenateIntroduced
    First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment
  8. Sep 30, 2025SenateIntroduced
    Pre-filed

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.

Discoveries

1 pattern noticed across the record

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift95% confidence

Decentralization of Regional Oversight

The legislation repeals provisions regarding regional council AED committees, shifting administrative compliance and reporting directly to designated entity coordinators and state boards.

State Emergency Medical Services Board

Connected Entities

U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems, Public Safety and 6 more
OrganizationU.S. Food and Drug Administration“Clears automated external defibrillator devices for market”Map →
OrganizationMaryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems“Receives AED use reports and supports regional emergency services”Map →
otherPublic Safety“Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland being cited”Map →
OrganizationAmerican Red Cross“Nationally recognized organization providing educational courses”Map →
otherEducation“Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland being amended”Map →
OrganizationState Emergency Medical Services Board“Administers the Public Access Automated External Defibrillator Program”Map →
OrganizationNational Safety Council“Nationally recognized organization providing educational courses”Map →
OrganizationAmerican Heart Association“Nationally recognized organization providing educational courses”Map →
otherHealth - General“Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland being amended”Map →

Sources

Open source document

mgaleg.maryland.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance50
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy10
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz20
    Current news / social attention level

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