Requires automated external defibrillators in certain areas of age-restricted communities.
Assembly Bill 5213 requires age-restricted planned real estate developments in New Jersey to place automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in at least one indoor recreation area and at least one outdoor recreation area, such as clubhouses, basements, laundry rooms, pool areas, tennis courts, or pickleball courts. The AEDs must be in unlocked locations with appropriate signage so they are readily accessible in an emergency.
The bill also requires that at least one staff member or a designated person in the development be trained in CPR and AED use, and that each device be maintained and tested according to manufacturer guidelines. Developments must also notify local emergency medical services about the AED’s type and location. The bill incorporates existing New Jersey defibrillator law by extending civil immunity protections to the development and its staff or designees for acquisition and use of the devices, while creating civil penalties for noncompliance.
This bill would add a new requirement to Title 2A governing age-restricted developments, effectively mandating AED placement, training, maintenance, and EMS notification in those communities. It would expand the practical reach of New Jersey’s existing defibrillator statutes to a specific residential setting for older adults, and it authorizes municipal health agencies to enforce compliance through civil penalties ranging from $250 to $1,000 or more for repeat violations, with penalties paid to the municipality.
The available record shows no committee transcript or recorded votes, so there is no documented debate or formal opposition in the materials provided. Based on the bill’s design, the measure appears to be framed as a public-safety and emergency-preparedness proposal aimed at protecting residents in age-restricted communities, with an emphasis on rapid response to cardiac emergencies.
No specific points of contention are identified in the provided materials because there are no transcripts or votes. Potential areas of debate, if raised, would likely involve the cost and logistics of purchasing and maintaining AEDs, training staff or designees, and the appropriateness of imposing municipal penalties on private age-restricted developments. The bill’s supporters would likely emphasize lifesaving access and preparedness, while any skeptics might focus on compliance burdens and enforcement.