Understanding California’s Nevaeh Act

What is the “Nevaeh Youth Sports Safety Act”?

Everything you need to know about California’s Updated AED Access Law.

California’s AB 310, approved by Governor Newsom on October 3, 2025, requires youth sports organizations to certify its coaches every two years in CPR and mandates the presence of AEDs during all practices and matches. 

The organization must have a written cardiac emergency response plan that includes AED location/procedures for staff and athletes in the case of a sudden cardiac event. The parents must receive annual electronic communication about AED locations and procedures as well. While the bill doesn’t strictly define the specific placement or number of AEDs, the American Heart Association recommends AEDs to be placed in a central location where it can be retrieved and applied to a victim within 3 minutes of collapse.

What to Know

CALIFORNIA’S ASSEMBLY BILL 310

An AED, or automated external defibrillator, is a portable device used during cardiac arrest to deliver an electric shock to the heart that can temporarily restart the heart and restore breathing. AEDs are essential for treating cardiac arrest victims in the critical first few minutes while waiting for EMS to arrive.

They are designed to be used by bystanders with little or no medical training, giving audio and/or visual instructions that guide the user through each step. AEDs are safe to use and cannot hurt the victim. It will only provide a shock if it detects one is needed.

According to the American Heart Association, 9 in 10 cardiac arrest victims who receive a shock from an AED in the first minute live. But for every minute that passes without defibrillation, survival rates drop 7-10% percent.

The proliferation of AEDS at public facilities is especially impactful in rural areas, where EMS response times are often in the double-digits.

The updated bill identifies “youth sports organization” as an organization, business, nonprofit entity, or a local governmental agency that sponsors or conducts amateur sports competitions, training camps, or clubs in which persons 17 years of age or younger participate.

The requirement applies to all organizations that hold official practices and matches at any venue for youth sports competitions, training, camps, or clubs.

While the bill doesn’t specify how many AEDs to be present, the AHA recommends AEDs to be in nearby locations where they can be retrieved and applied to a victim within 3 minutes of collapse.

AEDs are typically housed in wall-mounted enclosures designed for rapid access in an emergency. These cabinets keep the device visible, protected, and ready for immediate use. The organizations should account for regular inspection and maintenance of their AEDs in order to ensure they are operable in the event of an emergency.

For outdoor facilities, placement requires additional consideration. Exposure to weather, temperature extremes, moisture, dust, and pollen can damage an AED over time and compromise its reliability when it matters most. In some outdoor areas, theft and tampering can also be concerns.

Solutions exist to address all of these challenges — from weatherproof enclosures with heat/cooling systems to resist the elements, to 911-integrated “secure access” cabinets that are only unlocked with a code issued by emergency dispatchers — which ensure that your devices remain protected, compliant, and ready at a moment’s notice.

For travel sports teams or outdoor adventure organizations mobile kits can be effective alternatives to permanent AED placements. These kits store AEDs in portable, weatherproof cases that can be easily brought everywhere the group goes.

California’s AB 310 mandates that the placement should be written in each organization’s emergency response plan of the AED’s location and should be shared annually to the parents to keep the public informed.

The bill states by January 1, 2027, the youth sports organization’s coaches will be certified and recertified every two years to perform CPR and operate an AED. The emergency response plan should also be written to include the location of the AEDs and procedures to be followed during a sudden cardiac event.

The bill requires by January 1, 2028, the youth sports organization properly maintain and test the AED. This gives the organization time to build funds to obtain one.

The state of California estimates each AED device will cost between $1,400 and $2,500. Total costs range based on size of facilities.

Nevaeh’s Story

In August 2022, 10-year-old girl Nevaeh Johnson was at cheer practice in Waterford, California, when she complained of a headache and began crying. Suddenly she collapsed and adults nearby attempted to perform CPR. At the time, no one knew she had suffered a brain aneurysm that had stopped her heart. Tragically, she didn’t regain consciousness and passed away a few days later. 

The family believed that if an AED was nearby, Neveah might have had a better chance of survival. They worked with Assembly Member Juan Alanis to write a law in honor of her. This resulted in AB 1467, The Nevaeh Youth Sports Safety Act, to unanimously pass in June 2023. The bill requires youth sports organizations, across California,  access to an AED for youth sport organization matches and practices.

360,000+

Out-of-Hospital Sudden Cardiac Arrests in the US each year

~20%

of Cardiac Arrests Occur in Public Settings

2-3x

Increased Survival Rates with Early Access to Defibrillation

California raised the bar. We can help you meet it.

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