Rhode Island AED Laws
Rhode Island
Primary statute: RI Gen. Laws § 23-6.3 · Schools: RI Gen. Laws § 16-21-33.1 (amended 2026)
| Good Samaritan Protection | Civil immunity for users, acquirers, owners, trainers, and physicians acting in good faith, absent gross negligence. |
|---|---|
| Medical Direction | Not required. |
| Training | Generally recommended rather than mandated. Exception: beginning in the 2027–28 school year, personnel identified in a middle or high school cardiac emergency response plan must be trained in first aid, CPR, and AED use, and all middle and high school coaches must obtain and maintain that certification. |
| Maintenance & Testing | Manufacturer guidelines apply. From the 2027–28 school year, middle and high schools must maintain and test AEDs according to manufacturer guidelines as part of their written plan. |
| EMS Notification | Not required by statute generally. Exception: from the 2027–28 school year, middle and high schools must notify the appropriate EMS provider of each AED's type and location. |
| Placement Mandates | Middle and high schools (public and private), from 2027–28: functional AEDs with placement sufficient to provide ready access, plus an AED in an unlocked, clearly marked, easily accessible location at every school athletic venue during school-sponsored practices and competitions. No general placement mandates by location type outside schools. |
Practical note: Rhode Island provides standard civil immunity for AED programs. Its school requirements, however, are among the more demanding in the country — and they reach private schools and every athletic venue, not just main school buildings.
2026 Update — School CERPs and Athletic Emergency Action Plans Required from 2027–28
Rhode Island Senate Bill 2079 was signed into law on June 10, 2026, amending § 16-21-33.1 to require cardiac emergency response plans (CERPs) and venue-specific athletic emergency action plans (EAPs). The act took effect on passage, but school compliance obligations begin with the 2027–28 school year. Requirements apply to all middle and high schools, public and private. Elementary schools are not covered.
What covered schools must do
- Maintain functional AEDs with placement sufficient to provide ready access.
- Develop and implement a written CERP covering response procedures, AED placement, staff responsibilities, maintenance, signage, EMS notification, and staff training.
- Where there is an athletic department or organized athletic program, develop venue-specific EAPs for practices and events. Plans must be posted, widely distributed, and rehearsed annually.
- Place an AED in an unlocked, clearly marked, easily accessible location at every athletic venue during school-sponsored practices and competitions.
- Train personnel identified in the CERP — including coaches, school nurses, and athletic trainers as appropriate — in first aid, CPR, and AED use. All middle and high school coaches must obtain and maintain that certification.
- Notify the appropriate EMS provider of each AED's type and location, and maintain and test devices per manufacturer guidelines.
Oversight: the Commissioner of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health, may adopt implementing regulations and must establish a process to monitor compliance. AED quantities and types are to be set by the Commissioner in consultation with the Director of Health, following American Heart Association or equivalent emergency cardiovascular care guidelines. Implementing regulations were still pending at the time of writing.
Funding: unlike some states, Rhode Island attached no appropriation. Local education agencies may accept gifts, grants, and donations — including in-kind donations — to purchase and maintain AEDs and support related training. Budget for this locally.
Legal Disclaimer
This guide is provided for general educational purposes only. It is not legal advice, and it does not create an attorney-client relationship. State AED laws change, and statutory citations evolve through amendment and case law. AED Professionals makes no warranty, express or implied, that the information contained in this guide is current, complete, or accurate for any particular jurisdiction or compliance question. Before relying on this material for any decision affecting compliance, liability, or program operations, verify current requirements with primary sources (state statutes, regulations, and EMS authority guidance) or with qualified legal counsel licensed in the relevant jurisdiction.
Last reviewed: August 2026.
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