AED Laws by State: The Complete 2026 Compliance Guide

The quick version: All 50 states and the District of Columbia have Good Samaritan laws that protect people who use an AED in good faith during an emergency. Beyond that baseline, requirements vary widely—roughly 20–25 states mandate AEDs in schools, about 14 require them in health clubs and fitness centers, and many states add rules for registration, training, maintenance, and medical oversight. This guide explains the framework, the recent 2025–2026 changes, and how to keep your program compliant.

This article is for general educational purposes only and is not legal advice. AED laws change frequently and vary by state and facility type. Verify current requirements with your state authority or legal counsel before relying on any summary.

Good Samaritan protection: the one rule every state shares

Every U.S. state has enacted Good Samaritan legislation extending civil liability protection to lay rescuers who use an AED in a perceived emergency. The goal is simple: remove the fear of being sued so bystanders act quickly. In most states this protection also extends to the people and entities that acquire, place, train on, or provide medical oversight for the device—though exactly who is covered differs by state.

Two important caveats apply almost everywhere:

• Protection covers good-faith use. It does not shield gross negligence or willful misconduct.
• In some states, immunity is conditional—it depends on meeting statutory requirements such as registration, training, and maintenance. New Jersey and Maryland are frequently cited as having the most prescriptive frameworks, where an unregistered or poorly maintained program can lose protection.

Which states require AEDs?

Mandates are tied to facility type rather than applying to all businesses. The most common required settings are:

• Schools: Schools are the single most common location required to have AEDs, with roughly 20–25 states mandating them—often with devices available during the school day and at athletic events.
• Health clubs & fitness centers: About 14 states require AEDs on site, reflecting the elevated cardiac stress of exercise. States including California, Illinois, New York, and Massachusetts include fitness facilities in their laws.
• Other public venues: Various states address state-owned buildings, dental offices offering sedation, large assembly spaces, and similar high-traffic or higher-risk locations.

Even where AEDs are only “encouraged,” there is real liability exposure in not having one. Legal commentators note that a facility without an AED may face more risk in a cardiac death than one that had a device and tried to help. For sector-specific detail, see our guides on AED requirements for schools and AED requirements for businesses.

Common program requirements beyond placement

When a state requires (or you voluntarily run) an AED program, expect some combination of the following obligations—these are also best practice everywhere:

• EMS registration: Many states require you to register each AED with local EMS or public health so 911 dispatchers can direct rescuers to the nearest device. Roughly 33 states have a registry or notification provision.
• Training: Numerous states require anticipated responders to hold current CPR/AED certification, and some make training a condition of immunity. About 30 states tie AED/CPR instruction to high school graduation.
• Maintenance & readiness: Routine checks, plus replacing pads and batteries before expiration, are widely required. See our AED maintenance checklist and pad & battery replacement guide.
• Medical oversight: Some states require a licensed physician or medical director to oversee the program.
• Post-use reporting: Many states require the rescuer to call 911 and report each AED use.

What's changed in 2025–2026

AED legislation is moving quickly, with a clear trend toward youth-sports and school cardiac-emergency planning:

• California — Nevaeh Youth Sports Safety Act: Effective January 1, 2026, youth sports organizations must ensure coaches are certified (and recertified at least every two years) in CPR and AED use and maintain a written cardiac emergency response plan.
• Georgia: A 2025 law requires public schools to procure school-mapping data identifying AED and emergency-aid locations no later than July 1, 2026, building on the existing “Cory Joseph Law” for high school athletics.
• Colorado: As of January 1, 2026, schools that acquire an AED must place and maintain it under nationally recognized, evidence-based standards.
• New York & Pennsylvania: Both states have updated AED-related requirements relevant to organizations—see our detailed breakdown of the new AED laws in New York and Pennsylvania.

Because statutes change every legislative session, treat any “by state” summary as a starting point and confirm the current rule for your state and facility type.

How to make sure your organization is compliant

1. Identify your obligations. Confirm whether your state and facility type mandate an AED, and note any registration, training, and oversight rules.
2. Place the right number of devices. Aim for the American Heart Association benchmark of reaching a victim within about three minutes—state law sets the legal minimum, not the ideal.
3. Register each AED with local EMS where required.
4. Train your responders and keep certifications current.
5. Maintain readiness with documented monthly checks and on-time pad/battery replacement.
6. Document everything. A written program and inspection log is often what preserves Good Samaritan protection in conditional-immunity states.

Need help standing up a compliant program from scratch? Follow our step-by-step guide to setting up an AED program, then choose a device in our New AEDs collection.

Frequently asked questions

Are AEDs required by law?

It depends on your state and facility type. There is no single federal mandate for all businesses, but many states require AEDs in schools, fitness centers, and certain public buildings, and all states encourage public access to defibrillation.

Do Good Samaritan laws protect my organization or only the rescuer?

It varies. Some states extend protection broadly to acquirers, property owners, trainers, and physicians; others are narrower. In conditional-immunity states, protection depends on meeting registration, training, and maintenance requirements.

What happens if my AED isn't registered where registration is required?

In conditional-immunity states, an unregistered program can lose Good Samaritan protection and may expose your organization to civil liability or fines. Register each device with local EMS to stay covered.

How many AEDs do I need?

Enough to reach any person on site within roughly three minutes. Building size, layout, and floors all factor in—our team can help you calculate the right count for your facility.