Public Access to Defibrillation in Transportation Facilities Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 5897

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Transportation and Public Works

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-11-01: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

Last Updated

2026-01-07T09:05:50Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Public Access to Defibrillation in Transportation Facilities Act of 2025 aims to enhance public safety by increasing access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs)—portable devices that deliver an electric shock to restore normal heart rhythm during sudden cardiac arrest (SCA)—at key interstate transportation sites. It addresses the high incidence of SCA, a leading cause of death with about 356,000 out-of-hospital cases annually in the U.S., where survival chances drop 7-10% per minute without defibrillation. The Act encourages faster AED deployment in crowded transit areas through funding, guidance, and planning.

Key Provisions

• Findings and Congressional Intent: Recognizes AEDs as essential for SCA response and urges federal agencies, states, and local governments to prioritize AED placement in high-traffic public spaces.
• Funding Expansion: Amends the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (under title 23, U.S. Code) to include federal funding for:
• Purchasing and installing AEDs at eligible transportation facilities, such as highways, bridges, and transit hubs.
• Creating and executing written emergency action plans for medical incidents, including AED protocols.
• Guidance and Support: The Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), must issue:
• Recommendations on best practices for AED placement and upkeep at interstate facilities (e.g., bus/ferry/rail terminals, Interstate highway rest areas, certain passenger rail vehicles).
• Guidelines to help facility owners or operators develop emergency plans.
• Technical assistance to states, localities, and facility managers for plan development and compliance.
• Enforcement Mechanism: The Secretary can add requirements to Department of Transportation (DOT) financial aid programs to promote adoption of these recommendations and guidelines.
• Definitions: Clarifies terms like "interstate transportation facility" (covering terminals, rest areas, and federally assisted rail systems) and excludes short-distance intra-station rail vehicles.
• Effective Date: Takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Expands the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (section 133(b) of title 23, U.S. Code) by adding two new categories (AED deployment and emergency planning) as eligible projects, allowing federal highway funds to support public health initiatives in transportation infrastructure.
• Introduces new federal recommendations and guidelines specifically for AEDs in interstate facilities, which were not previously mandated or detailed in transportation law.
• Empowers the DOT Secretary to enforce compliance through funding conditions, creating indirect leverage without new penalties.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: DOT, HHS, and CDC will need to collaborate on guidance and assistance, potentially increasing administrative workload but integrating health into transportation funding. States and localities gain access to block grants for AEDs and plans, easing budget constraints for safety upgrades.
• Citizens: Travelers and the public at transit hubs benefit from quicker SCA response, potentially saving lives in high-risk, crowded areas. It promotes broader public health awareness without imposing direct costs on individuals.
• International Relations: Minimal impact, as the Act focuses on domestic U.S. transportation; it may indirectly influence cross-border transit safety standards but does not address foreign policy.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Federal Agencies: DOT (leads implementation and funding), HHS, and CDC (provide health expertise).
• State and Local Governments: Eligible for block grants and technical aid to deploy AEDs and plans at facilities.
• Transportation Facility Owners/Operators: Private or public entities managing terminals, rest areas, and rail systems must follow guidelines, with incentives via federal funding.
• Public and Travelers: Primary beneficiaries through improved emergency access at interstate sites.
• Healthcare and Emergency Responders: Supported by standardized plans that enhance coordination during SCA events.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens integration of public health measures into federal transportation law without creating new regulatory burdens; enforcement via funding conditions avoids direct mandates, reducing litigation risk. Definitions ensure clarity to prevent disputes over "eligible" facilities.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority under the Commerce Clause to regulate interstate highways and transit; no apparent free speech, privacy, or federalism issues, as it incentivizes rather than compels state/local action.
• Political: Represents a bipartisan push (introduced by Reps. Van Drew and Gillen) for non-controversial life-saving measures, potentially setting a precedent for blending health policy with infrastructure spending. It encourages voluntary acceleration of AED efforts amid growing focus on preventable deaths, with low fiscal impact through existing grant reallocations.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2]

Cosponsors (4)

Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

Recent Actions

• 2025-11-01: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
• 2025-10-31: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
• 2025-10-31: Introduced in House
• 2025-10-31: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Public Access to Defibrillation in Transportation Facilities Act of 2025 — issued 2025-10-31 — PDF (5 pages)