State bills would require defibrillator on all golf courses. (Government Watch).

On December 19, 2002, bills AB 146 & SB 153 were introduced in New York that would require a golf course operator to make available at least one functional cardiac defibrillator for emergency use to resuscitate persons on the premises, and require employees of such golf course to be trained in the proper operation and use of such defibrillator. It defines golf course operator as "any person, firm, corporation, partnership, unincorporated association, or other entity, whether publicly or privately owned or operated, managing any golf course." The bill does provide a liability clause for any person who voluntarily renders emergency treatment using the defibrillator. As well, it states that a violation shall be punishable by a civil penalty of up to $200.

Visit www.cmaa.org/legislat/reports/jan03.htm for a copy of this bill, or contact Henry Wallmeyer at [e-mail], [phone].

On January 8, bill HB 43 was introduced in Illinois that creates the Physical Fitness Facility Medical Emergency Preparedness Act. It would require various physical fitness facilities, including facilities owned or operated by a unit of local government or by a school, college, or university; golf courses; and health or fitness clubs, to develop and implement a plan for responding to medical emergencies and to file a copy of the plan with the Department of Public Health. It would also require each such facility to have on its premises at least one automated external defibrillator (AED) and a trained AED user before July 1, 2004.

The bill provides economic incentives for purchasing and AED, authorizes the Department of Public Health to impose monetary penalties for violations of the Act of up to $500, and allows the Department to adopt rules requiring a facility to have more than one AED on the premises based on the size of the area, the number of buildings or floors occupied by the facility, or the number of persons using the facility. Visit www.cmaa.org/legislat/reports/jan03. htm, or contact Henry Wallmeyer at wallmeyh @cmaa.org, [phone] for a copy of this bill.