AED Laws & Requirements in Massachusetts
Reviewed against Massachusetts law on
Massachusetts AED requirements at a glance
| AED checks and maintenance |
Required AED agencies must maintain and test to manufacturer guidelines (c. 112, § 12V½). |
|---|---|
| CPR and AED training |
Required AED providers need current CPR and AED certification meeting AHA or Red Cross standards. |
| Medical direction (physician oversight) |
Required AED agencies must contract with a qualified physician AED medical director. |
| EMS registration of the AED |
Required Notify local police and EMS of AED number, type, and location before starting a program. |
| School cardiac emergency response plan |
Required Every school needs a medical emergency response plan with AED locations and yearly practice (c. 69, § 8A). |
Official sources:malegislature.gov, sites.bu.edu, malegislature.gov
Massachusetts organizes AED ownership around formal public access defibrillation programs. Any organization that holds an AED for public use is an "AED agency" under M.G.L. c. 112, § 12V½, with specific duties and a required physician medical director.
Medical Oversight:
AED agencies must contract with an AED medical director: a physician practicing in or near the regional EMS region who is an emergency physician, a cardiologist, or trained in public access defibrillation. The medical director oversees maintenance, training, and notice requirements. Readiness and compliance packages include medical direction.
Training:
AED providers must complete a CPR and AED course that meets or exceeds AHA or American Red Cross standards and keep their certification current. See our CPR and AED certification classes.
EMS and Police Notification:
Before starting a program, the agency must notify local police and EMS of the number, type, and location of its AEDs.
Maintenance:
Each AED must be maintained and tested to the manufacturer's guidelines. Our pad and battery guide lists replacement intervals by model.
Use Protocol:
After every response, the AED provider must contact local police or EMS and file a report with the agency's medical director.
Good Samaritan Protection:
Certified AED providers, AED medical directors, and AED agencies acting in good faith within a public access defibrillation program are protected from civil liability, except for gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct. Untrained good-faith rescuers have separate protection under § 12V.
Required Placements:
Schools (M.G.L. c. 71, § 54C): Since July 1, 2018, every public, charter, approved private day or residential, and collaborative school must have at least one AED at each facility where instruction is provided, with a certified AED provider on staff. An AED and provider must be readily available at every school-sponsored athletic event.
Health clubs: Health clubs must have an AED on site and an employee trained in CPR and AED use present during business hours (M.G.L. c. 93, § 78A).
School Emergency Response Plans:
Every school must keep a written medical emergency response plan that includes the location of each AED and the staff trained to use it, a rapid communication system, an estimated EMS response time, practice of the response sequence at the start of each school year, and an annual review with local police and fire (M.G.L. c. 69, § 8A). Plans are filed with the state every three years. Browse AEDs for schools.
Where does your Massachusetts AED program stand?
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AED.US does not provide legal advice. AED laws change and vary by facility type. Confirm your requirements with your counsel or the appropriate Massachusetts agency.