ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
REVISED
automated external
defibrillators
Purpose
Requires new state buildings
and state buildings undergoing major renovations to be equipped with automated
external defibrillators (AEDs).
Background
According to the National
Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), more than 250,000 people die of sudden
cardiac arrest each year. The key to
survival is timely initiation of a “chain of survival,” which includes
cardiopulmonary resuscitation and early defibrillation. Recent technological advances have made AEDs
portable lifesaving devices that are easier to use and maintain, smaller,
lightweight and lower in cost.
AEDs automatically analyze a
cardiac arrest victim’s heart rhythm and make a decision to defibrillate the
patient. The device guides the user
through the process by audible or visual prompts without requiring any
discretion or judgment. The American
Heart Association estimates that at least 20,000 lives could be saved annually
by prompt use of AEDs.
In 2000, the Legislature
appropriated $50,000 in each of FY 2001-2002 and FY 2002-2003 from the
emergency medical services operating fund to the Department of Administration
for AEDs in government buildings. S.B.
1070 requires AEDs to be equipped in new state buildings and state buildings
undergoing major renovations.
Joint Legislative Budget
Committee (JLBC) staff has identified six renovation projects to state buildings
with costs above $250,000. Lastly, a
new state hospital is currently under construction and construction for a new
state laboratory is scheduled to begin in FY 2002-2003.
Provisions
1. Requires state buildings under construction or undergoing major renovations with a cost of at least $250,000 to be equipped with AEDs.
2. Requires, each fiscal year beginning in FY 2003-2004, JLBC and the Governor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting to include funding for AEDs in capital budgets for new state buildings.
3. Becomes effective on July 1, 2003.
Amendments Adopted by Health Committee
1. Removes the appropriation of $250,000 from the emergency medical operating fund to equip AEDs in existing state buildings.
2. Defines major renovations as projects with a cost of at least $250,000.
Amendments Adopted by Appropriations Committee
1. Includes the amendment adopted by the Health Committee.
2. Adds a delayed effective date.
Senate Action
HEA 1/22/02 DPA 8-0-0-0
APPROP 1/29/02 DPA 10-0-2-0
Prepared by Senate Staff
January 29, 2002