Hochul signs law requiring youth sports camps to have automated external defibrillators

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday signed legislation requiring camps and youth sports programs to establish plans to have automated external defibrillators and at least one person properly trained in how to use them.

This legislation comes in the wake of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin having a cardiac arrest on the field during a game in February. His heart was shocked back into rhythm by using an AED.

“By requiring camps and youth sports programs to establish an AED implementation plan, kids will be safer and teams will be prepared. I want every parent in New York to know: we’re doing everything we can to keep your kids safe,” Hochul said in a statement.

“My journey has shown us that no one expects cardiac arrest to happen — and we all need to be prepared. By requiring that at least one person is trained to properly use an AED at every sports event, camp and practice, this new law will help protect tens of thousands of kids in New York State — and is a really important step in saving lives,” Hamlin said in statement.

The law requires camps and youth sports programs with five or more teams participating to establish the plan to detail how AEDs will be made available or reasonably accessible at every camp, game or practice.