Legislation authored by Senator Jeff Howe (R-Rockville) that will increase access to roadside Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) passed the Senate today with unanimous bipartisan support.

The bill allows for AED signage to be included on state road signs, as a way to make drivers aware of publicly accessible AEDs in the area. As amended, this language allows places with outdoor AEDs to request the state to put these directional signs in place, showing where to find the device.

Most importantly, this language will expand access to these critical devices and would come at no-cost to the state.

“AEDs are already accessible in many locations throughout the state, but the problem is that many of those devices are inside buildings you can’t get to during certain hours,” said Howe. “There has been a movement to place these AEDs in publicly accessible places that can be reached at any time, and this bill would ensure there’s proper signage for people to follow when they need to utilize one of these devices in the case of a cardiac emergency. This is a simple change that costs the state nothing, while improving access to lifesaving devices.”