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HR5897119th CongressWALLET

Public Access to Defibrillation in Transportation Facilities Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2]

Introduced

Summary

Expand public access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at interstate transportation facilities. This bill would allow Surface Transportation Block Grant funds to buy and deploy AEDs and require written emergency action plans, backed by federal guidance and technical help to encourage adoption.

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  • Travelers and the public would see more AEDs and emergency plans at bus and rail terminals, ferry terminals, and Interstate rest areas, aiming to speed response to cardiac arrests. The bill cites about 356,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests each year and notes survival falls about 7 to 10 percent for every minute without defibrillation.
  • State and local transportation agencies and facility owners would be able to use Section 133 grant projects to purchase AEDs and to develop written emergency action plans with federal recommendations and technical assistance from the Department of Transportation working with HHS and the CDC.
  • Federal enforcement and scope would change for transportation funding. The Secretary of Transportation could add terms and conditions to grants to promote adoption and the bill explicitly covers bus terminals, ferry terminals, rail passenger terminals, certain rail vehicles, and highway rest areas and takes effect 180 days after enactment.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Which transportation sites would be covered

The bill would define covered sites. It would include bus, ferry, and rail passenger terminals, and Interstate highway rest areas. Some rail vehicles would count, but not those used only on very short runs between stops 15 minutes apart. The Secretary could include other similar sites. These definitions would guide where AED rules, help, and grants apply, starting 180 days after enactment.

Grants for AEDs at transportation sites

This bill would let states and localities use Surface Transportation Block Grant funds to buy and place AEDs. It would also let them use the grants to write and carry out emergency action plans that include AED use. The projects would need to be at eligible transportation facilities. If enacted, these uses would start 180 days after enactment.

New AED rules tied to DOT funds

DOT would issue best-practice advice on where to place and how to maintain AEDs at covered transportation sites. DOT would also issue model guidelines to help owners and operators build written emergency action plans. To push adoption, DOT could add terms and conditions to its grants. These steps would begin 180 days after enactment.

DOT help for AED planning and deployment

DOT would give technical help to owners and operators to follow AED placement advice and emergency plan guidelines. DOT, working with HHS and CDC, would also help states and local officials write the emergency action plans. This support would start 180 days after enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2]

NJ • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 10/31/2025

  • Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 11/10/2025

  • Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 11/12/2025

  • Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 11/17/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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