Rep. Brown to reintroduce bill that would mandate AEDs at community facilities across Ohio

COLUMBUS– State Rep. Richard Brown (D-Canal Winchester) announced that he will reintroduce legislation that would require automatic external defibrillators (AED) to be placed in public schools, chartered non-public schools, community schools, STEM schools, college-prep boarding schools, and public recreational facilities in Ohio. 

“Recently, we saw Damar Hamlin, safety for the Buffalo Bills, collapse on the field here in Ohio due to Sudden Cardiac Arrest after suffering a traumatic blow to the left area over his heart. Thankfully, medical teams on site revived him with the use of an AED and CPR,” said Rep. Brown. “Sudden Cardiac Arrest is the leading cause of sudden death in young athletes. This is not about if, but when. I want to make sure we are putting our students, families, schools and organizations in the best position possible to handle these situations when they arise.” 

House Bill (HB) 426 was introduced in the last General Assembly, but only received one hearing in the Primary and Secondary Education Committee. Representative Brown plans to reintroduce this legislation in the current General Assembly as soon as practical.