Existing law, the Nevaeh Youth Sports Safety Act, requires youth sports organizations (including nonprofit entities such as schools that sponsor or conduct amateur sports competitions, training, camps, or clubs in which persons 17 years of age or younger participate.) to ensure athletes have access to an automated external defibrillator (AED) during any official practice or match beginning on January 1, 2027. Existing law also requires that, if an AED is administered during an applicable medical circumstance, it must be administered by a medical professional, coach, or other person designated by the youth sports organization, who holds AED certification and who complies with any other qualifications required pursuant to federal and state law applicable to the use of an AED.
AB 310 delays the requirement that athletes have access to an AED until January 1, 2028 and removes the requirement that a medical professional administer the AED. AB 310 adds a requirement that, beginning January 1, 2027, youth sports organizations must ensure that its coaches are certified to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and operate an AED, with recertification required every two years.
AB 310 also adds a requirement that youth sports organizations adopt and annually review a written cardiac emergency response plan that details all of the following: (1) AED locations; (2) procedures to be followed in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest; (3) the responsibility of the coach, administration, and athletes during the event; (4) how the coach, administration, and athletes will be notified and trained on the emergency response plan; and (5) an annual electronic communication to the parents/guardians of enrolled participants that includes the emergency response plan or an internet link to it, AED locations, and identification of which staff members are designated to be notified if there is a sudden cardiac event.
Finally, AB 310 requires that, starting January 1, 2028, youth sports organizations ensure that their AEDs are maintained and tested in accordance with manufacturer guidelines, as well as the applicable rules and regulations of the Food and Drug Administration or any other applicable state or federal authority.
(AB 310 amends Section 124238.5 of the Health and Safety Code.)