Community AED Act would provide grants for PAD programs

March 30, 2001

Legislation that would help communities implement early defibrillation programs may be introduced in the Senate as early as next week. The Community Access to Emergency Devices Act (Community AED Act) would create a grant program for states, political subdivisions and Indian tribes to help develop Public Access to Defibrillation (PAD) programs. The legislation would authorize $50 million per year for Fiscal Years 2002 through 2007. It also would establish a demonstration program for political subdivisions and Indian tribes interested in developing innovative, creative PAD programs. $5 million per year would be allocated for Fiscal Years 2002 through 2007 for the demonstration program. Supporters of this legislation are urged to contact their legislators.