Automatic external defibrillators: health studios.

Existing law, until July 1, 2012, requires every health studio, as defined, to acquire an automatic external defibrillator and to meet specified training and maintenance standards relating to that device. Under existing law, when a health studio employee uses an automatic external defibrillator, as specified, the owners, managers, employees, or otherwise responsible authorities of the facility shall not be liable for civil damages resulting from an act or omission in the course of rendering that emergency care or treatment, as required. This bill would extend these provisions indefinitely. This bill would also provide that a health studio that allows its members access to its facilities during operating hours when employees trained in the use of automatic external defibrillators are not on the facility premises, waives the above exemption from liability for civil damages and the affirmative defense of primary assumption of the risk, whether express or implied, as to a claim arising out of the absence of trained staff. This bill would also require a health studio that allows its members access when an employee is not present to comply with specified requirements, including, but not limited to, that it deny access to members when an employee is not present if the facility is larger than 6,000 square feet, and that on or before January 1, 2012, and before January 1 of each of the following three years, the health studio would be required to report to the Legislature certain information as prescribed.