AB 1819 California Assembly · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Automated external defibrillators.

Summary
Existing law requires specified occupied structures that are constructed on or after January 1, 2017, or constructed before that date and subject to subsequent modifications, to have an automated external defibrillator (AED) , as specified. Existing law exempts specified structures from these requirements, including structures that are owned or operated by any local government entity and specified health facilities. Existing law specifies that a structure with an existing AED in the common area of the structure meets the above-described requirement to have an AED without the installation of another AED. Existing law requires a person or entity that acquires an AED to, among other things, notify an agent of the local emergency medical services agency of the existence, location, and type of AED acquired, ensure that the AED is maintained and tested according to the manufacturer's guidelines, and ensure that the AED is tested at least biannually and after each use. Existing law provides that a person or entity that acquires an AED is not liable for civil damages resulting from the act or omission in the rendering of emergency care if certain requirements relating to the operation and maintenance of an AED are met. This bill would additionally require the specified structures described above to have an AED if that structure serves a population of adults 55 years of age or older and has the capacity to serve 50 or more adults 55 years of age or older.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 10, 2026 Last action May 14, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

04/13/26 - Amended Assembly 04/23/26 - Amended Assembly · 4 edits · Apr 23, 2026
MODERATE
AB 1819 was amended to expand the scope of structures required to have an automated external defibrillator (AED). The key change adds a new provision requiring any structure of a type already listed in the bill (assembly, business, educational, factory, institutional, mercantile, or residential buildings) to have an AED if it serves adults 55 or older and has capacity for 50 or more such adults, regardless of the normal occupancy thresholds. The legislative counsel's digest was also updated to include previously omitted information about existing law exemptions and the new broader requirement.
SCOPE

A new provision in Section 19300(c)(1) requires any structure of a type listed in subdivision (a) that serves adults 55 or older and has capacity for 50 or more such adults to have an AED, even if it does not meet the normal occupancy thresholds (e.g., 200 or more people). This significantly broadens which buildings must install AEDs beyond just 'senior centers' as defined in Section 19301.

The legislative counsel's digest was expanded to include previously omitted descriptions of existing law exemptions (local government-owned structures, licensed health facilities, and structures with an existing AED in a common area) and to describe the new broader 55-and-older population requirement.

TECHNICAL

The 'State-mandated local program' designation in the digest appears to have changed from 'yes' to 'no,' which would affect whether the state is required to reimburse local agencies for costs imposed by the bill.

A typo in the act description was corrected: 'to add Section 19301 to to' was fixed to 'to add Section 19301 to, of.'

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
14
Key actions
4
Committee
9
Amendments
3
May 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
In committee: Held under submission.
lower
May 6, 2026
Committee
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
lower
Apr 27, 2026
Committee
Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
lower
Apr 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read second time and amended.
lower
Apr 22, 2026
Introduced
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (April 21).
lower
Apr 21, 2026
Lower · Passed
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on AGING & L.T.C with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (April 21). Re-referred to Com. on AGING & L.T.C.
lower
Apr 14, 2026
Committee
Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
lower
Apr 13, 2026
Introduced
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on JUD. Read second time and amended.
lower
Apr 13, 2026
Committee
(Pending re-refer to Com. on AGING & L.T.C.)
lower
Apr 13, 2026
Committee
Re-referred to Coms. on JUD. and AGING & L.T.C pursuant to Assembly Rule 96.
lower
Mar 16, 2026
Committee
Referred to Coms. on AGING & L.T.C and JUD.
lower
Feb 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
From printer. May be heard in committee March 13.
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors