Source: https://www.kts-law.com/aed-devices-in-commercial-properties/
Timestamp: 2019-04-26 09:55:21+00:00

Document:
Robert Thorn, Esq. and Jamie Sternberg, Esq., and Christine Relph, Esq.
AEDs are portable emergency medical care devices that can help save the lives of sudden cardiac arrest victims whose hearts suddenly and unexpectedly stop beating. An AED checks heart rhythm, and if needed, can deliver an electric shock to try to restore the heart’s normal rhythm.
Recent developments in AED law may interest California commercial property owners and managers.
A 2014 California Supreme Court case ruled that installation of AEDs was not required in most businesses.
In September 2015, SB 658 amended Health and Safety Code §1797.196(b), changing requirements for both the AED acquirer and the owner of a building in which an AED is installed.
In October 2015, SB 287 added new Health & Safety Code §19300 requiring certain new construction on or after January 1, 2017 to include installation of AEDs.
In September 2018, SB 1397 modified California Health and Safety Code §19300, to require certain properties built before January 1, 2017 but modified, renovated or tenant improved after January 1, 2020, to have AEDs on the premises.
In Michael Verdugo v. Target Corporation (2014) 59 Cal.4th 312, 173 Cal.Rptr.3d 662, and 327 P.3d 774, the California Supreme Court ruled that Target was not required to provide AEDs in Target stores.
 Laws in California have also been enacted regarding placement of AEDs in state-owned and state-leased buildings. Government Code §8455 directs California’s Department of General Services to “apply for federal funds … for the purchase of automated external defibrillators to be located within state-owned and leased buildings” (§ 8455, subd. (a)) and also requires the Department of General Services to “develop and adopt policies and procedures relative to the placement and use of automated external defibrillators in state-owned and leased buildings and ensure that training is consistent with Section 1797.196 of the Health and Safety Code and the regulations adopted pursuant to that section” (Gov. Code, § 8455(b)).
Target maintained that its employees satisfied its common law duty of reasonable care by summoning emergency medical personnel immediately after learning of the patron’s collapse, and that at most it might be required to provide simple first aid measures, but that it had no duty to provide AEDs.
These properties would be required to install an AED even if the structure is vacant or under construction or renovation.
Properties with existing AED appliances in the common areas are not required to install an additional appliance.
In California, under Civil Code §1714.21 (b), an uncompensated “good Samaritan”, who uses an AED in an emergency, is immune from liability, unless the good Samaritan is grossly negligent or intentionally acts to cause harm.
Health & Safety Code §1797.196 (b) specifies requirements for both the AED acquirer (which may be the property owner or a tenant) and the owner of the building in which the AED is installed. The requirements changed in September 2015 under SB 658. A comparison of the text of the old law and the new law is available at Health & Safety Code §1797.196 Changes. New and changed provisions (since 2015) are in italics below.
(Previously, a medical director, physician or surgeon was required to be involved in the acquisition and placement of AEDs. This requirement has been eliminated).
Note that health facilities (defined in Health and Safety Code §1250), buildings containing a health studio, as defined in subdivision (h) of the Health and Safety Code section 104113, or containing a public or private K-12 school have other requirements.
If an AED has been installed in a building, both owners of both the building and the business which acquired the AED should be familiar with and comply with the AED requirements established by law.

References: §1797
 §19300
 §19300
 v. 
 §8455
 § 8455
 §1714
 §1797
 §1797
 §1250