Legislation - National

Protecting Children and Youth from Sudden Cardiac Arrest

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National Legislation

Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-188, H.R. 3448)

On June 12, 2002, President Bush signed into law the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-188, H.R. 3448), which is intended to bolster the nation’s ability to respond effectively to bioterrorist threats and other public health emergencies. The act builds on the programs and authorities established in Title III of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act by the Public Health Threats and Emergencies Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-505, Title I). To review PL 107-188 clcick on the title above.

The bioterrorism legislation also incorporates language taken from S. 1275 that authorizes grants to states and localities to increase public access to defibrillators (i.e., devices that restore normal heart rhythm to patients in cardiac arrest by administering a controlled electric shock).

Community Access to Emergency Defibrillation Act of 2002: Adds a new Section 312 to the PHS Act authorizing grants to develop and implement public access defibrillation programs. Funds may be used
to purchase AEDs, to provide training in AED usage, to provide information to community members about the public access defibrillation program, to provide information to local emergency medical services on AED placement, and to encourage private companies to purchase AEDs. Authorizes $25 million for FY2003, and such sums as may be necessary for FY2004–FY2006. Adds a new Section 313 to the PHS Act authorizing grants to develop and implement innovative, community-based public access defibrillation demonstration projects. Authorizes $5 million for each of FY2002–FY2006. [Section 159]