H.R. 5897: Public Access to Defibrillation in Transportation Facilities Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Public Access to Defibrillation in Transportation Facilities Act of 2025, aims to improve public safety in interstate transportation facilities by enhancing access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Here is a summary of its key provisions:

1. Purpose and Findings

The bill recognizes that sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a major cause of death in the U.S., with approximately 356,000 occurrences outside of hospital settings each year. It emphasizes the importance of AEDs as critical devices that can deliver life-saving shocks to individuals suffering from SCA. The legislation highlights that quick response is essential; the chances of survival decrease by 7 to 10 percent for every minute that passes without defibrillation.

2. Funding Support

The bill expands the surface transportation block grant program by allowing funding for:

• Purchasing and deploying AEDs at transportation facilities.
• Developing and implementing emergency action plans for handling medical emergencies, which would include using AEDs.

3. Recommendations and Technical Assistance

The Secretary of Transportation, working with health authorities, is tasked with:

• Issuing recommendations for where and how AEDs should be deployed in interstate transportation facilities.
• Providing guidelines for facility owners or operators to develop written emergency action plans for responding to medical emergencies including the use of AEDs.

Furthermore, the Secretary will offer technical assistance to help comply with these recommendations and guidelines.

4. Enforcement and Compliance

The Secretary of Transportation may impose additional terms and conditions necessary to ensure compliance with the recommendations and guidelines regarding AEDs offered in the enforcement of Department of Transportation financial assistance programs.

5. Definitions

The bill specifies what constitutes an interstate transportation facility, which includes:

• Bus terminals
• Ferry terminals
• Rail passenger transportation terminals
• Highway rest areas on the Interstate System
• Vehicles used for rail passenger transportation

This section also defines related terms relevant to rail passenger transportation and the Interstate System.

6. Effective Date

The provisions of this Act would take effect starting 180 days after the date of its enactment.

Relevant Companies

None found.