Adds centers for independent living pursuant to § 42-12.2-2 to the healthcare facilities required to have automated external defibrillators on site.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would require centers for independent living in Rhode Island to have automated external defibrillators (AEDs) on site. An AED is a portable device that can deliver an electric shock to restart a person's heart during a cardiac emergency. Currently, Rhode Island law already requires certain healthcare facilities and public places to keep AEDs available, and this bill would add centers for independent living to that list.

Centers for independent living are community-based organizations that provide support services to people with disabilities, helping them live independently in their communities. These centers often serve individuals who may have underlying health conditions, making access to emergency cardiac equipment particularly important. By requiring these facilities to have AEDs on hand, the bill aims to ensure that staff and visitors have the tools needed to respond quickly if someone experiences a sudden cardiac event.

The bill primarily affects the operators and administrators of centers for independent living, who would be responsible for obtaining and maintaining AEDs on their premises. It would also benefit the people who use these centers — individuals with disabilities and their families — as well as staff members and anyone else present at these locations. The bill has been introduced and referred to the House Health & Human Services Committee for further review.