Vermont
AED Leader Vermont

Vermont

In Vermont, AED programs must adhere to maintenance and AED placement reporting guidelines. While the Good Samaritan law safeguards AED owners, users, and CPR/AED trainers, it excludes AED program medical directors. However, various AED program activities seem to be encompassed. Immunity from the law is not contingent on adherence to specified administrative and operational requisites. Notably, Vermont does not mandate AED placement in specific locations.

Vermont Law Key Takeaways

Requirement

Summary

Good Samaritan Law
Any individual, excluding those classified as healthcare providers or emergency medical personnel, acting within their regular duties as such, is shielded from civil liability when they act in good faith to provide emergency care involving an AED, acquire or own an AED, or conduct training on AED operation. This protection extends to their actions or omissions related to AED usage, ownership, or training.
EMS Notification
Any person who owns or leases an AED must notify Local EMS regarding the type and location of the AED.
AED Maintenance
Individuals who own or lease an AED are required to adhere to maintenance and testing protocols as specified by the manufacturer's standards.

Vermont Statutes and Regulations

(a) As used in this section:

(1) “Automated external defibrillator (AED)” means a medical device approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, that:

(A) is capable of recognizing the presence or absence of ventricular fibrillation or rapid ventricular tachycardia;

(B) is capable of determining whether defibrillation should be performed on an individual;

(C) upon determination that defibrillation should be performed, automatically charges and requests delivery of an electrical impulse to an individual’s heart; and

(D) then, upon action by an operator, delivers an appropriate electrical impulse to the patient’s heart to perform defibrillation.

(b) [Deleted].

(c) Any person who owns or leases an AED, or to whom an AED is donated shall:

(1) notify the department and the person’s regional ambulance service or first responder service of the existence, location, and type of device the person possesses; and

(2) maintain and test the device in accordance with the applicable standards of the manufacturer.

(d)(1) Any person, other than a person defined as a health care provider by subdivision 9432(8) of this title or as emergency medical personnel by 24 V.S.A. § 2651(6) acting in the normal course of his or her duties as a health care provider or as emergency medical personnel, who acts in good faith and who renders emergency care by the use of an AED, acquires an AED, owns a premises on which an AED is located, or provides a training course in the operation of an AED shall not be liable for civil damages for that person’s acts or omissions with respect to such use, ownership, or training in the operation of an AED unless those acts or omissions were grossly negligent or willful and wanton. As used in this subdivision (d)(1), “ownership” shall not include the maintenance and testing of the device in accordance with the applicable standards of the manufacturer as required by subdivision (c)(2) of this section.

(2) This subsection shall not relieve an AED manufacturer, designer, developer, distributor, installer, or seller of any liability under any applicable statute or rule of law.

(e) This section shall not be construed to create a duty to act under 12 V.S.A. § 519 for any person.

*Codes and regulations cited from Justia US Law.

Note: This page serves as an educational resource on Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and related legal frameworks. AEDleader.com provides this content for general knowledge purposes and does not claim it to be exhaustive or infallible regarding interpretations of AED laws. It should not be considered legal counsel. We invite you to contact us for detailed guidance on complying with AED regulations specific to your location.