Requires at least one automated external defibrillator to be available at electric utility worksites where two or more electrical utility workers are performing work on electrical transmission or distribution lines of six hundred one volts or more; requires electric utilities to maintain emergency response plans with regard to the use of automated external defibrillators.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
10725
IN SENATE
October 23, 2026
___________
Introduced by Sen. C. RYAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to requiring auto-
mated external defibrillators at electric utility worksites
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The public service law is amended by adding a new section
2 66-y to read as follows:
3 § 66-y. Automated external defibrillators at utility worksites. 1. For
4 purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following
5 meanings:
6 (a) "Automated external defibrillator" shall have the same meaning as
7 such term is defined in paragraph (a) of subdivision one of section
8 three thousand-b of the public health law.
9 (b) "Utility" means an electric corporation subject to the provisions
10 of this article.
11 (c) "Electric utility worker" means an employee of a utility or an
12 employee of an independent contractor or subcontractor performing work
13 on behalf of a utility.
14 (d) "Covered worksite" means any worksite where two or more electrical
15 utility workers are performing work on electrical transmission or
16 distribution lines of six hundred one volts or more.
17 2. (a) Each utility, or any independent contractor or subcontractor of
18 a utility, shall ensure that at least one automated external defibrilla-
19 tor is made available for emergency use at each covered worksite.
20 (b) Such automated external defibrillators shall be accessible to
21 employees and available for use without unreasonable delay. The commis-
22 sion shall establish requirements governing the placement, accessibil-
23 ity, transportation, and availability of automated external defibrilla-
24 tors, considering the nature and location of the work performed.
25 3. (a) Every utility shall establish and maintain a written emergen-
26 cy-response plan addressing the use of automated external defibrillators
27 at covered worksites.
28 (b) Such plan shall include, but not be limited to:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD16477-01-6
S. 10725 2
1 (i) procedures for recognizing a suspected cardiac arrest and promptly
2 initiating emergency response;
3 (ii) procedures for promptly retrieving and using an available auto-
4 mated external defibrillator, consistent with applicable law and train-
5 ing;
6 (iii) procedures for alerting emergency medical services of the use of
7 an automated external defibrillator as soon as practicable, consistent
8 with applicable requirements of law;
9 (iv) procedures for coordinating emergency response among utility
10 employees, contractors, subcontractors, and emergency responders; and
11 (v) procedures for inspecting, maintaining, testing, and documenting
12 the readiness of each automated external defibrillator.
13 (c) Every utility shall provide its written emergency-response plan to
14 contractors and subcontractors performing work at covered worksites and
15 shall require such contractors and subcontractors to comply with such
16 plan.
17 4. (a) Every utility shall ensure that each automated external defi-
18 brillator under its responsibility is properly maintained and tested in
19 accordance with applicable law and the manufacturer's instructions.
20 (b) Each automated external defibrillator shall be inspected following
21 use and returned to service only after any necessary replacement, main-
22 tenance, or testing has been completed.
23 (c) Records of inspections, maintenance, testing, use, and corrective
24 action shall be maintained in accordance with regulations adopted by the
25 commission and other applicable law.
26 (d) Every utility shall establish procedures to ensure that an auto-
27 mated external defibrillator that is missing, damaged, expired, or
28 otherwise not ready for use is promptly repaired, replaced, or supple-
29 mented by another available automated external defibrillator.
30 5. Any employee of a utility who, in good faith and not for compen-
31 sation, renders emergency care or treatment by the use of an automated
32 external defibrillator shall not be liable for civil damages resulting
33 from any acts or omissions of such person rendering such emergency care.
34 6. Every utility shall ensure that employees receive appropriate
35 instruction and training regarding the use of automated external defi-
36 brillators.
37 § 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
38 have become a law. Effective immediately, the public service commission
39 is authorized to promulgate, amend and/or repeal any rule or regulation
40 necessary for the implementation of this act on or before such effective
41 date.
