SENATE HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND SENIOR CITIZENS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2146

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JANUARY 26, 2009

      The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2146.

      This bill would require assisted living facilities to comply with the same requirements concerning defibrillators as those that apply to nursing homes under N.J.S.A.26:2H-12.26.

      Specifically, the bill requires an assisted living facility, no later than one year after the effective date of the bill, to:

C   acquire at least one defibrillator as defined in N.J.S.A.2A:62A-24, which is to be maintained in a central location within the facility that is made known and available to the employees of the facility;

C   ensure that the defibrillator is tested and maintained, and provide notification to the appropriate first aid, ambulance or rescue squad or other appropriate emergency medical services provider regarding the defibrillator, the type acquired and its location, pursuant to N.J.S.A.2A:62A-25;

C   arrange and pay for training in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and the use of a defibrillator for employees of the facility in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A.2A:62A-25; and

C   ensure that the employees of the facility comply with the provisions of N.J.S.A.2A:62A-26 concerning the use of the defibrillator.

      This bill is identical to Assembly Bill No. 2309 (Diegnan/Vas/Coutinho), which is pending in the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee.