Introduced By: Senator Kelly

Date Introduced : March 19, 1999

Referred To: Committee on Judiciary

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 9-1-34 of the General Laws in Chapter 9-1 entitled "Causes of Action" is hereby amended to read as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 23-6.2-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-6.2 entitled "Public Access Defibrillation" is hereby amended to read as follows:

23-6.2-2. State to provide and distribute defibrillators. -- On or after September 30, 1998, the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy, after consultation with the Coalition for Public Safety Defibrillators shall provide two (2) defibrillators for distribution to each and every city or town in the state, one defibrillator to the State House, one defibrillator to each campus of the University of Rhode Island, one defibrillator to Rhode Island College and one defibrillator to each campus of the Community College of Rhode Island {ADD on or after July 1, 1999, thirty five (35) defibrillators shall be provided to the Rhode Island State Police ADD}. Such devices shall be placed in the possession of the chief and/or the highest ranking member of the municipality's police department, {ADD the Rhode Island State Police, ADD} the capitol police in the State House, the director of public safety or the chief of the campus police at the University of Rhode Island, the director of public safety or the chief of the department of security and safety at Rhode Island College, the director of public safety or the chief of campus police at the Community College of Rhode Island or the Rhode Island state police in those municipalities where the state police provide law enforcement service, to be deployed by said officer in the manner in which he or she determines will best promote the availability of and access to the defibrillator by the general public. Provided that one or both defibrillators may be deployed to the municipality's fire department if the police chief determines that such deployment would best promote the intent and purpose of this chapter. {ADD Such defibrillators will at all times be deployed and used in accordance with all applicable federal and state statutes. The Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy will, in consultation with the Coalition for Public Safety Defibrillation, also provide training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator use for all law enforcement personnel serving the municipalities and agencies referenced above to which automated external defibrillators have been provided. ADD}

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.