New York AED laws: what AED owners need to know

New York changed its main AED law on June 1, 2026. Older guides that mention a "collaborative agreement" with a doctor or filing with a regional EMS council describe the rules before that date.

Is an AED required at my organization?

No New York law we read requires every business to have an AED. But once you have one, Public Health Law § 3000-b treats you as a "public access defibrillation provider" with the duties below. Specific laws require AEDs at:

• Public schools, BOCES and charter schools, in each instructional facility, with a trained staff member present at school events and athletic contests (Educ. Law § 917).
• Nonpublic schools, since July 1, 2026 (Educ. Law § 917-a).
• Health clubs "whose membership is fifty persons or more," with a certified employee or volunteer present during staffed hours (Gen. Bus. Law § 627-a(1)).
• Places of public assembly with capacity of at least 1,000, such as stadiums, arenas and concert halls, and surf beaches and swimming facilities that must be supervised by a surf lifeguard, through the State Sanitary Code (PHL § 225(5-b), (5-c)). Where a city or county already had its own law on AEDs in these venues, such as New York City, that local law applies instead (PHL § 225(5-b)(f)). This page does not cover New York City rules.
• State public buildings (Pub. Bldgs. Law § 140(2)).
• Camps, and youth sports programs that host or take part in games, tournaments or leagues with at least five teams, must adopt an AED implementation plan (PHL § 3000-f).

Inspection and maintenance

"The public access defibrillation provider shall cause the automated external defibrillator to be maintained and tested according to applicable standards of the manufacturer and any appropriate government agency" (PHL § 3000-b(3)(b)). The statute does not set its own check frequency, so the manufacturer's schedule is the reference point. Public school AEDs must also be maintained consistent with American Heart Association or other national guidelines (Educ. Law § 917(1)).

CPR and AED training

Owners must provide AED and CPR training "consistent with standards approved by the department." At least one person associated with the owner must be designated to receive that training and to be familiar with the AED's operation and routine maintenance (PHL § 3000-b(3)(a)).

Some settings need a trained person on site: schools during events (Educ. Law § 917(2)), health clubs during staffed hours (Gen. Bus. Law § 627-a(1)) and large venues during events (PHL § 225(5-b)(b)).

Physician oversight

Before June 1, 2026, New York required a collaborative agreement with a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner or hospital. The 2026 budget law (L. 2026, ch. 57, Part G) removed that requirement. The statute now says operation "shall be authorized in accordance with regulations promulgated by the department" (PHL § 3000-b(2)). Check Department of Health guidance for any current requirements.

Separately from state law, many AED models are sold on a prescription under FDA labeling; your supplier can tell you.

Registering the AED

"The public access defibrillation provider shall register the existence, location and type of any automated external defibrillator it possesses with the department" (PHL § 3000-b(3)(c)). The Department must keep a public electronic database of AED locations and types. Sellers must now tell buyers about these registration, maintenance and reporting duties at the time of sale (PHL § 3000-b(5)).

After the AED is used

"Every use of an automated external defibrillator on a patient shall be immediately reported to the appropriate local emergency medical services system or public safety answering point" (PHL § 3000-b(3)(d)). Owners must also report data on AED use to the Department of Health, in a manner the department prescribes (PHL § 3000-b(3)(e)). The statute itself does not set a format or deadline.

Signs and placement

Owners must post "a sign or notice at the main entrance to the facility or building in which the automated external defibrillator is stored," showing where it is kept (PHL § 3000-b(3)(f)). Health club AEDs must be placed with "obvious and ready accessibility" (Gen. Bus. Law § 627-a(1)).

Good Samaritan immunity

A person who voluntarily gives emergency first aid without expecting payment, at the scene of an emergency outside a hospital, doctor's office or similar place, is not liable for injury or death unless caused by gross negligence. This does not protect licensed physicians, dentists, nurses, physical therapists or physician assistants acting in their normal practice (PHL § 3000-a(1)). Using an AED under § 3000-b counts as first aid for liability purposes (PHL § 3000-b(4)).

An organization that buys or makes available an AED "as required by or pursuant to law or local law" is not liable for a volunteer's use of it or for defects in its manufacture. That protection does not cover the organization's own negligence, gross negligence or intentional misconduct (PHL § 3000-a(2)). The law doesn't say whether this covers an organization that buys an AED voluntarily; ask a lawyer.

What this means for your AED program

• Register each AED with the New York State Department of Health (PHL § 3000-b(3)(c)).
• Check and service each AED on the manufacturer's schedule (PHL § 3000-b(3)(b)). Keeping a record of each check isn't required by the statute, but it shows the check happened.
• Name at least one trained person and track their training dates (PHL § 3000-b(3)(a)).
• Post a sign at the main entrance showing where the AED is (PHL § 3000-b(3)(f)).
• Have a plan to report every use to EMS right away and to the Department of Health (PHL § 3000-b(3)(d)–(e)).

Sources

All read on 2026-11-13. All are statutes or session laws; we did not review Department of Health or State Sanitary Code (10 NYCRR) rules.

• N.Y. Pub. Health Law § 3000-b: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PBH/3000-B
• L. 2026, ch. 57, Part G (A.10007-C), effective June 1, 2026: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A10007
• N.Y. Pub. Health Law § 3000-a: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PBH/3000-A
• N.Y. Pub. Health Law § 225: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PBH/225
• N.Y. Pub. Health Law § 3000-f: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PBH/3000-F
• N.Y. Educ. Law § 917: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/EDN/917
• N.Y. Educ. Law § 917-a: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/EDN/917-A
• L. 2025, ch. 422 (S.2590), effective July 1, 2026: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S2590
• N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 627-a: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GBS/627-A
• N.Y. Pub. Bldgs. Law § 140: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PBB/140

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FAQ

Is an AED required in New York gyms?

Yes, for health clubs with 50 or more members. They must have at least one AED readily accessible and a certified employee or volunteer present during staffed hours (Gen. Bus. Law § 627-a).

Do I need a doctor's agreement to have an AED in New York?

Not under the statute since June 1, 2026, when the collaborative-agreement requirement was removed (L. 2026, ch. 57, Part G). Check Department of Health regulations for current rules.

Do I have to register my AED in New York?

Yes. Owners must register each AED's existence, location and type with the Department of Health (PHL § 3000-b(3)(c)).

Am I liable if I use an AED in an emergency in New York?

A volunteer who gives emergency first aid, including with an AED, outside a hospital or doctor's office and without expecting payment is not liable unless grossly negligent, with exceptions for some licensed health professionals acting in their normal practice (PHL §§ 3000-a, 3000-b(4)).