Good Samaritan AED protection by state
Here is each jurisdiction’s rating, the one-line reason from its statute, and the laws behind it. Open a state for its full Good Samaritan section.
| State | Rating | Why | Law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Limited | Unpaid good-faith rescuers and the AED's site are immune only if the rescuer acted as an ordinary prudent person would, so ordinary negligence is not clearly covered (Ala. Code § 6-5-332(e)). | Ala. Code § 6-5-332 (as amended through Act 2025-63) Ala. Code § 6-5-332.3 (Act 99-370; Act 2015-161) |
| Alaska | Conditional | Any AED user and the AED's acquirer are protected, but the user's shield does not reach harm caused by failing to notify EMS, and the owner's does not reach gross negligence (AS 09.65.087). | AS 09.65.087 (as amended by 2015 SLA ch. 19) AS 09.65.090 |
| Arizona | Broad | Any unpaid good-faith AED user, any trained user, the AED's acquirer and the property owner are protected unless the act is wilful misconduct or gross negligence (A.R.S. § 36-2263). | A.R.S. § 36-2263 A.R.S. § 32-1471 |
| Arkansas | Limited | An unpaid good-faith AED user and the AED's site are immune only if the rescuer acted as a reasonably prudent person would, so ordinary negligence is not clearly covered (Ark. Code § 20-13-1305). | Ark. Code §§ 20-13-1301 to 20-13-1305 (Public Access to Automated External Defibrillation Act; Act 273 of 2005) Ark. Code § 17-95-101 (as amended by Act 47 of 2023) Ark. Code § 20-13-1306 (Act 1199 of 2005, first codified as § 17-95-606; amended by Acts 1606 and 827 of 2007) |
| California | Conditional | An unpaid good-faith rescuer is protected, but the owner is protected only if it met § 1797.196's duties: EMS notice, maintenance and testing, 90-day inspections and records (Civ. Code § 1714.21). | Cal. Civil Code § 1714.21 Cal. Health & Safety Code § 1799.102 Cal. Civil Code § 1714.2 Cal. Health & Safety Code § 1797.196 (amended by AB 3262, Stats. 2024, eff. Jan. 1, 2025) Cal. Health & Safety Code § 104113 (as amended eff. Jan. 1, 2020) Cal. Education Code § 49417 Cal. Education Code § 35179.6 |
| Colorado | Conditional | Unpaid good-faith rescuers whose job is not health care are protected even if program rules were skipped, but the AED's site is protected only if the AED was maintained and tested with written records (C.R.S. § 13-21-108.1(4)(c)). | C.R.S. § 13-21-108.1 (as amended by SB 25-191, effective May 5, 2025) C.R.S. § 13-21-108 |
| Connecticut | Broad | Anyone who voluntarily and without pay operates an AED, and anyone who provides or maintains one, is shielded from ordinary negligence, with no training or program duties attached (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-557b(a)(1)). | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-557b (2026 Supplement; as amended through P.A. 25-143) |
| Delaware | Broad | A lay rescuer is protected unless grossly negligent, reckless or willful, and whoever authorized the purchase or runs the AED's site is protected unless grossly negligent, with no upkeep or training conditions (16 Del. C. §§ 6801, 3005C). | 16 Del. C. ch. 30C (§§ 3001C-3005C) 16 Del. C. § 6801 |
| District of Columbia | Broad | Anyone who uses an AED in good faith without pay, and the person or entity responsible for its site, are protected unless grossly negligent or willful; on-duty licensed health professionals are excluded (D.C. Code § 7-2371.03). | D.C. Code § 7-2371.03 (formerly § 44-233) D.C. Code § 7-401 |
| Florida | Conditional | Anyone who uses an AED is protected unless grossly negligent or reckless, but the owner is protected only if the harm did not stem from poor maintenance and testing or an untrained employee user (§ 768.1325). | Fla. Stat. § 768.1325 (2026) (Cardiac Arrest Survival Act) Fla. Stat. § 768.13 (2026) (Good Samaritan Act) |
| Georgia | Broad | Anyone who uses an AED in good faith without pay, and the owner of the premises that provides it, are immune except for willful or wanton misconduct, with no upkeep or training condition in the text (O.C.G.A. § 51-1-29.3). | O.C.G.A. § 51-1-29.3 O.C.G.A. § 51-1-29 O.C.G.A. § 31-11-53.1 (as amended by 2026 SB 399, the Mason Sells AED Coordination Act; effective July 1, 2026) |
| Hawaii | Limited | An unpaid good-faith rescuer using any AED is protected unless grossly negligent or wanton, but whoever provides the AED is shielded only from vicarious liability, not its own negligence (HRS § 663-1.5(e), (h)). | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 663-1.5 |
| Idaho | Limited | Anyone who reasonably uses an AED without pay is protected unless grossly negligent or reckless, but the law says nothing about protecting the AED's owner (Idaho Code § 39-703). | Idaho Code §§ 39-701 to 39-703 Idaho Code § 5-330 |
| Illinois | Conditional | AED users, premises owners, trainers and authorizing physicians are protected unless willful or wanton, but only if the Act's duties are met: maintenance, trained users, EMS activation, use reports and dispatch notice (410 ILCS 4/20, 4/30). | 410 ILCS 4/1 to 4/30 (Automated External Defibrillator Act) 745 ILCS 49 (Good Samaritan Act), §§ 10, 12, 67, 71 210 ILCS 74 (Physical Fitness Facility Medical Emergency Preparedness Act) |
| Indiana | Conditional | Good-faith unpaid rescuers are protected unless grossly negligent, but an AED owner is protected only if it and the user meet IC 16-31-6.5: maintenance and testing, ambulance notice and state registration (IC 34-30-12-1(d)). | Ind. Code 34-30-12-1 Ind. Code 34-6-2.1-79 Ind. Code 16-31-6.5-2 to -5 Ind. Code 24-4-15-1 to -9 Ind. Code 20-34-8-3.5 and 20-34-8-9 |
| Iowa | Conditional | Users, retrievers, acquirers and trainers acting reasonably and in good faith are protected, but a premises owner is protected only if it keeps the AED ready under state maintenance rules (Iowa Code § 613.17(2)). | Iowa Code § 613.17 (2026) Iowa Admin. Code 641-143.1 and 143.2 (effective June 1, 2025) |
| Kansas | Conditional | A good-faith AED user acting as a reasonably prudent person is protected, but an owner is protected only if it has and follows guidelines for proper maintenance and operation (K.S.A. 65-6149a(a)). | K.S.A. 65-6149a (as amended by L. 2025, ch. 85, § 10, effective July 1, 2025) K.S.A. 65-2891b K.S.A. 65-2891 |
| Kentucky | Limited | Users and AED sites are covered only when the rescuer acted as a reasonably prudent person would, so ordinary negligence is not shielded and the site's protection rises and falls with the rescuer's (KRS 311.668). | KRS 411.148 KRS 311.668 (amended 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 66, eff. July 15, 2024) KRS 311.665 |
| Louisiana | Broad | Any unpaid good-faith rescuer using an AED is covered, and AED purchasers, site owners and expected users are protected with no program conditions, except for gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct (R.S. 9:2793; R.S. 40:1137.4). | La. R.S. 9:2793 La. R.S. 40:1137.4 (formerly R.S. 40:1236.14) |
| Maine | Broad | Acquirers, premises owners and anyone who retrieves, uses or fails to use an AED are immune absent gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct, with no training or program conditions (22 M.R.S. § 2150-C(6)). | 14 M.R.S. § 164 22 M.R.S. § 2150-C |
| Maryland | Conditional | A good-faith, unpaid, reasonably prudent rescuer is protected, but a registered entity is protected only if it met every § 13-517 duty and held a valid MIEMSS certificate at the time (Educ. § 13-517). | Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-603 Md. Code, Educ. § 13-517 (Public Access Automated External Defibrillator Program) 2026 Md. Laws ch. 91 (HB 276), eff. October 1, 2026 (cross-filed SB 24, ch. 92) Md. Code, Health-Gen. § 21-330.3 (amended by 2026 Md. Laws ch. 91) Md. Code, Educ. § 23-102.2 (2025 Md. Laws ch. 613, SB 369) |
| Massachusetts | Conditional | Any unpaid good-faith rescuer is protected, but an owner is protected only as an 'AED agency' meeting maintenance, police and EMS notice, use-reporting and medical director conditions (G.L. c. 112, §§ 12V, 12V½). | M.G.L. c. 112, § 12V M.G.L. c. 112, § 12V½ M.G.L. c. 93, § 86 M.G.L. c. 71, § 54C |
| Michigan | Limited | A volunteer with no duty to act is protected unless grossly negligent, but premises owners are shielded only from liability for the rescuer's acts, not their own negligence (MCL 691.1504). | MCL 691.1504 (1963 PA 17, § 4) MCL 691.1501 (1963 PA 17, § 1) MCL 380.1319 (Revised School Code § 1319, added by 2024 PA 37) MCL 29.19b (Fire Prevention Code § 19b, added by 2024 PA 36) |
| Minnesota | Limited | An unpaid good-faith rescuer, including one using an AED, is protected unless reckless or willful and wanton, but no clause covers AED owners or sites (Minn. Stat. §§ 604A.01, 403.51 subd. 11). | Minn. Stat. § 604A.01 Minn. Stat. § 403.51 |
| Mississippi | Conditional | Any good-faith AED user is protected, even if untrained, but the site's protection depends on having provided for § 41-60-33 compliance: physician oversight, trained users, EMS activation and use reports (Miss. Code § 73-25-37). | Miss. Code Ann. § 73-25-37 (as amended by 2024 Miss. Laws ch. 383, S.B. 2349, § 3) Miss. Code Ann. § 41-60-33 (as amended by 2024 Miss. Laws ch. 383, S.B. 2349, § 4) 13 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 3, R. 11.1-11.4 (Mississippi Gaming Commission) |
| Missouri | Broad | An unpaid good-faith AED user or provider is protected unless willful and wanton or reckless, and the AED's owner, site and trainer are likewise protected, with no training or upkeep conditions (RSMo § 190.092.3). | RSMo § 190.092 (Public Access to Automated External Defibrillator Act) RSMo § 537.037 |
| Montana | Conditional | A user acting under the AED law is protected unless grossly negligent or willful or wanton; the program entity only if it notified the PSAP, maintained and logged the AED, and required EMS calls (MCA 50-6-505, 50-6-502). | Mont. Code Ann. §§ 50-6-501 to 50-6-506 (as amended by 2025 Mont. Laws ch. 66, S.B. 86) Mont. Code Ann. § 27-1-714 |
| Nebraska | Limited | A good-faith AED user is protected unless grossly negligent or willful or wanton, except health professionals or care in a health facility, but the AED law says nothing about owners (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-51,102). | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-51,102 Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-21,186 Neb. Rev. Stat. § 38-1232 |
| Nevada | Conditional | An unpaid good-faith AED user is protected even without training, but a business that placed the AED is protected only if it follows placement rules, maintains and tests it per the maker, and sets EMS-notice and upkeep guidelines (NRS 41.500). | NRS 41.500 |
| New Hampshire | Broad | Any good-faith unpaid AED user, trained or not, and any person or group that acquires and maintains an AED are protected except for gross negligence or willful and wanton conduct (RSA 153-A:31). | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508:12 N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 153-A:28 to 153-A:33 |
| New Jersey | Conditional | Good-faith users, trained or not, are protected, but an owner's immunity for its own acts depends on trained users, manufacturer maintenance, EMS notice and a protocol documented to the prescribing physician (N.J.S.A. 2A:62A-25, 2A:62A-27). | N.J.S.A. 2A:62A-1 N.J.S.A. 2A:62A-23 to 2A:62A-27 (P.L.1999, c.34, as amended by P.L.2012, c.6) N.J.S.A. 2A:62A-30 to 2A:62A-33 (P.L.2005, c.346, as amended by P.L.2012, c.6) N.J.S.A. 18A:40-41a and 18A:40-41b (P.L.2012, c.51, "Janet's Law") |
| New Mexico | Limited | An untrained user is protected unless willful, wanton or reckless, but owners and trained responders are covered only if they used reasonable care and met every program duty, so their own negligence stays actionable (NMSA 24-10C-7). | NMSA 1978 §§ 24-10-3 and 24-10-4 NMSA 1978 §§ 24-10C-1 to 24-10C-7 (Cardiac Arrest Response Act; last amended Laws 2015, ch. 33 and ch. 116) |
| New York | Limited | A volunteer rescuer is protected unless grossly negligent, but an AED owner is shielded only from claims over a volunteer's use or a defective device, not from its own negligence (PHL § 3000-a). | N.Y. Pub. Health Law § 3000-a (subd. 2 as amended by L. 2025, ch. 502 and L. 2026, ch. 57, Part G, § 2) N.Y. Pub. Health Law § 3000-b (as amended by L. 2026, ch. 57, Part G, § 1, eff. June 1, 2026) N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 627-a N.Y. Pub. Health Law § 225(5-b) N.Y. Educ. Law § 917 (subd. 1 as amended by L. 2025, ch. 189, Desha's Law; subd. 3 by L. 2026, ch. 57, Part G) |
| North Carolina | Conditional | Any unpaid volunteer who uses an AED is protected unless grossly negligent, wanton or intentional, but the site's protection applies only when it has provided a CPR/AED training program (G.S. 90-21.14; 90-21.15(d)). | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 90-21.14 N.C. Gen. Stat. § 90-21.15 S.L. 2026-41 (S.B. 257), § 7.38, enacting N.C. Gen. Stat. § 115C-375.6 and amending §§ 115C-47(73), 115C-150.12C(39), 115C-218.75(p), 115C-229.35(25), 116-11(15) |
| North Dakota | Broad | Any unpaid, good-faith user is covered without training unless grossly negligent or willful or wanton, and the person responsible for the AED's site is protected with no program duties (N.D.C.C. §§ 32-03.1-02, 32-03.1-02.3). | N.D.C.C. § 32-03.1-02 (with §§ 32-03.1-01, 32-03.1-04, 32-03.1-05, 32-03.1-08) N.D.C.C. § 32-03.1-02.3 |
| Ohio | Conditional | A good-faith user, trained or not, and anyone who acquires the AED or owns the premises are protected unless willful or wanton, but a user who makes no good-faith attempt to activate EMS is not (R.C. 2305.235). | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.23 Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.235 Ohio Rev. Code § 3313.717 Ohio Rev. Code § 3314.16 |
| Oklahoma | Broad | A good-faith, unpaid user outside a medical facility needs no training, and anyone who owns, leases or controls the AED is protected too, both unless grossly negligent or willful or wanton (76 O.S. § 5A). | 76 O.S. § 5 (Good Samaritan Act) 76 O.S. § 5A 70 O.S. § 1210.200 |
| Oregon | Broad | Any user, trained or not, and whoever possesses or controls an AED placed in a public setting are protected unless grossly negligent or reckless, with no program duties, though not where medical care is regularly available (ORS 30.802). | ORS 30.800 ORS 30.802 |
| Pennsylvania | Conditional | Any good-faith user is covered, trained or not, but the owner's shield reaches one who acquires and maintains the AED, and the section requires trained users, testing and an EMS-call instruction (42 Pa.C.S. § 8331.2). | 42 Pa.C.S. § 8332 42 Pa.C.S. § 8331.2 |
| Rhode Island | Limited | Only users trained to AHA or Red Cross standards get the AED immunity, though property owners, lessees and the AED's owner are protected with no stated conditions (R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-34). | R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-27.1 R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-34 R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-50-12 |
| South Carolina | Conditional | A good-faith unpaid user is protected unless grossly negligent, but the acquirer is protected only if it meets all § 44-76-30 duties, such as trained users, maintenance records, a health care liaison and use reports (S.C. Code § 44-76-40). | S.C. Code § 15-1-310 S.C. Code §§ 44-76-10 to 44-76-50 (South Carolina Automated External Defibrillator Act) 2026 S.C. Act No. 108 (H. 3831, Smart Heart Act), adding § 59-17-165 and amending § 59-17-155; effective July 1, 2026, applies from the 2027-2028 school year |
| South Dakota | Broad | Anyone who in good faith obtains, uses or chooses not to use an AED is immune unless grossly negligent or willful or wanton, with no training or program conditions (SDCL §§ 20-9-4.4, 20-9-4.8, 20-9-4.9). | SDCL § 20-9-4.1 (with § 20-9-3 for licensed practitioners) SDCL §§ 20-9-4.3, 20-9-4.4, 20-9-4.6, 20-9-4.8, 20-9-4.9 |
| Tennessee | Broad | A good-faith rescuer using an AED without charge is protected unless grossly negligent, and the entity responsible for the AED program is protected unless grossly negligent or willful, with no compliance condition since 2019 (§§ 63-6-218, 68-140-406). | Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-6-218 (Good Samaritan Law) 2019 Tenn. Pub. Acts ch. 61 (S.B. 314), rewriting § 68-140-406 Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 68-140-401 to 68-140-409 (Title 68, Ch. 140, Part 4, Automated External Defibrillators) Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-122 |
| Texas | Broad | Anyone who uses an AED in good faith is protected, as are the AED's owner and site, unless wilfully or wantonly negligent, trained or not (CPRC § 74.151; HSC § 779.006). | Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 74.151 Tex. Health & Safety Code ch. 779 (§§ 779.001-779.008) Tex. Health & Safety Code § 242.159 |
| Utah | Broad | Any good-faith unpaid AED user, the AED's acquirer and the site owner are protected unless grossly negligent or willful, with no training or program conditions, and the reporting duty carries no penalty (Utah Code § 53-2d-802). | Utah Code § 78B-4-501 Utah Code §§ 53-2d-801 to 53-2d-808 (Utah Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survival Act; formerly Title 26, Ch. 8b, renumbered in 2023) Utah Code § 53-2d-701 |
| Vermont | Limited | Good-faith users, acquirers and premises owners are protected unless grossly negligent, but the owner's protection expressly excludes maintaining and testing the AED, so it stays liable for its own negligence there (18 V.S.A. § 907(d)). | 12 V.S.A. § 519 18 V.S.A. § 907 |
| Virginia | Broad | An unpaid good-faith rescuer using an AED is protected without training, and whoever maintains an AED on property it owns or controls is protected unless grossly negligent or willful, with no program duties (Va. Code § 8.01-225(A)(6)-(8)). | Va. Code § 8.01-225 |
| Washington | Conditional | Any user at an emergency is protected, but the owner is covered only as an entity providing services under the AED law, whose duties are training, maintenance, physician direction and EMS notice (RCW 70.54.310(2)-(4)). | RCW 4.24.300 RCW 70.54.310 RCW 70.54.315 |
| West Virginia | Conditional | An unpaid good-faith bystander is protected unless grossly negligent, but the program owner is protected only if it meets § 16-4D-3: OEMS registration, training, maintenance records, a medical director and EMS notice (W. Va. Code § 16-4D-4). | W. Va. Code § 55-7-15 W. Va. Code §§ 16-4D-1 to 16-4D-4 W. Va. Code § 18-2-25c |
| Wisconsin | Broad | A good-faith rescuer and the AED's owner are both protected unless grossly negligent, with no training or program duties; only a separate provider of the AED must show manufacturer maintenance and testing (Wis. Stat. § 895.48(4)). | Wis. Stat. § 895.48(1), (1g), (4) |
| Wyoming | Conditional | Any user is protected unless willful, reckless or grossly negligent, but the site owner is protected only if it met § 35-26-102: CPR and AED training, maintenance and testing, and EMS notice (Wyo. Stat. § 35-26-103). | Wyo. Stat. § 1-1-120 Wyo. Stat. §§ 35-26-101 to 35-26-103 |
A rating is our reading of the statute’s text, not a prediction of how a court would rule. Where a statute could reasonably be read two ways, as with New Hampshire’s protection for an owner that “acquires and maintains” an AED, we explain the choice on the state’s page.
What Good Samaritan laws cover
A general Good Samaritan law protects people who give emergency care at the scene, in good faith and usually without pay, from civil damages. Most keep liability for gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct, though a few state no exception at all.
The details vary more than the name suggests:
- Who is covered. Most states cover anyone. A few cover only named groups: Kentucky’s general law protects licensed health professionals, EMTs, people certified in CPR and some school staff, and Missouri’s protects other bystanders only if they’re trained in first aid. Illinois spreads its protection across separate sections for different groups.
- What conduct is covered. Most laws excuse ordinary mistakes and stop at gross negligence. A few hold rescuers to the care a reasonably prudent person would use, which leaves ordinary negligence open.
- Where and for what. Many exclude care given for pay, care in a hospital or doctor’s office, and help from someone who caused the emergency.
Many searches for a state’s “Good Samaritan law” are about a different law, the one that protects people who call 911 about an overdose from some drug charges. This page covers protection from being sued for giving emergency care with an AED.
How AED-specific immunity differs from general bystander protection
An AED law usually does two things a general Good Samaritan law doesn’t: it names AED use outright, and it protects people who weren’t at the scene, such as the AED’s owner, the property owner, the physician involved and the trainer.
That second part matters most for organizations. A general Good Samaritan law protects the employee or bystander who used the AED, but not necessarily the company that bought it. Texas, for example, protects the person who acquired the AED, whoever controls the site, the prescribing physician and trainers, whether or not the user was trained (Health & Safety Code § 779.006).
Many AED laws attach conditions to the owner’s protection. California protects an owner only if it notified EMS, maintained and tested the AED, inspected it every 90 days and kept records. Indiana’s depends on maintenance, notice to the local ambulance service and state registration. A few states have no separate AED immunity and rely on the general law naming AED use, as Minnesota does.
Federal law adds a backstop. The Cardiac Arrest Survival Act (42 U.S.C. 238q) protects people who use an AED, and owners that maintained it, told local responders where it is and trained expected users, but it applies only where a state has no AED immunity law of its own for that kind of person.
What the broad, conditional and limited ratings mean
Our rating answers one question: who does the state’s law protect when someone uses an AED, and on what conditions? We read each state’s general Good Samaritan law and its AED law and applied the same three definitions to all of them.
- Broad Anyone who uses an AED in good faith is protected without needing training, and so is the AED’s owner, with no conditions beyond the usual exceptions (gross negligence, willful or wanton misconduct, care given for pay).
- Conditional Both the person who uses the AED and the AED’s owner are protected, but the protection depends on meeting program duties, such as maintaining the AED, notifying EMS, training users or having medical direction.
- Limited The person who uses the AED is protected, but the AED’s owner gets partial or no protection, only trained or authorized users are covered, or the protection doesn’t reach ordinary negligence.
Each state’s reason, in the table above, names the statute and the clause that decided its rating. The ratings are ours: they come from the statute text as it read on the date each state was last reviewed, and they aren’t based on any other publisher’s ratings. They’re general information, not legal advice. Courts can read a statute differently, and your lawyer can tell you how it applies to you.
Who else is protected: trainers, medical directors and AED owners
Besides the rescuer, AED laws commonly protect the AED’s owner or acquirer, the owner or manager of the property where it’s kept, the physician who prescribed it or oversees the program, and the people who trained the users.
AED owners get the most varied treatment, which is why our ratings turn on them. In a Conditional state, the owner’s protection depends on meeting the AED law’s duties, so a missed inspection or an untrained responder can cost it. In some Limited states the owner is shielded only from claims about the rescuer’s acts, not from claims about its own negligence, as in Michigan and New York.
Medical directors and prescribing physicians are protected in many AED laws, often on the same terms as the owner. Where a state requires medical direction, the physician’s role is part of the program the law expects. AED Log’s Medical Direction add-on covers that role for $65 per AED per year.
Trainers who teach CPR and AED use are protected in many states for the later acts of the people they trained. Keeping dated records of training, inspections and maintenance is the practical way to show an owner met the duties its protection depends on. See AED laws by state for each state’s duties.
Good Samaritan AED law FAQ
What is a Good Samaritan law?
A law that protects someone who helps in an emergency from being sued over that help, provided the help was given in good faith and without gross negligence. Many states add protection for using an AED, and for the AED’s owner, trainers and medical director.
Does the Good Samaritan law protect the AED’s owner?
Often, but not always without conditions. By our rating, 18 jurisdictions protect owners broadly, 21 only when the owner meets duties such as maintaining the AED, and 12 give owners partial or no protection.
Do you have to be trained to be protected when you use an AED?
In most states, no: the protection covers anyone who uses an AED in good faith. A few laws protect only trained or expected users, and some make the owner’s protection depend on training its staff. Check your state’s rating on this page.
Is there a federal Good Samaritan law for AEDs?
Yes. The Cardiac Arrest Survival Act (42 U.S.C. 238q) protects people who use an AED, and owners that maintained it, told local responders where it is and trained expected users, but only where a state has no AED immunity law of its own.
Is this the same as the Good Samaritan overdose law?
No. Many states also have a Good Samaritan law that protects people who call 911 about an overdose from some drug charges. That’s a different law. This page covers protection from being sued for giving emergency care with an AED.