Understanding Oregon’s AED Access Laws

What is “HB 4160”?

Everything you need to know about Oregon’s AED Access Law

Oregon’s HB 4160, approved by Governor Kotek on March 31, 2026, requires K-12 public, charter, and private schools to have a cardiac emergency response plan that aligns with the national guidelines for cardiac emergencies. As part of the response plan, schools must train their staff in CPR and ensure at least one automated external defibrillator (AED) is clearly marked, unlocked, and accessible during school hours and activities. 

In addition to ensuring everyone is trained, schools must have an annual review of their compliance with this plan. The bill also focuses on regular AED maintenance to ensure it remains operational for future emergencies.

What to Know

Oregon’s House Bill 4160

An AED, or automated external defibrillator, is a portable device used during cardiac arrest to deliver an electric shock 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.

AEDs 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 or rescuer; they will only provide a shock if one is needed.

Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone. It’s not just something that affects the elderly or unhealthy people. Studies have shown that 1 in 300 youth athletes have an undiagnosed heart condition. Being prepared for a cardiac emergency protects not just the students or athletes but also the coaches, faculty, parents, and spectators who might be in the stands. An established procedure communicating AED locations, training in CPR, and AED use before local emergency medical services arrive, increases the victim’s chance of survival. 

Regular CPR and AED training gives an individual knowledge and confidence to recognize the symptoms of a sudden cardiac arrest and the confidence to respond quickly and effectively. Performing CPR, locating the closest AED, and using the device correctly in those few short minutes before emergency medical professionals arrive, can double or even triple the victim’s chance of survival.

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

This bill establishes statewide rules for K-12 public, charter, and private schools to keep the AED secure, visible, and readily accessible. Regularly maintaining AEDs will help bystanders feel more confident when using them during a cardiac emergency.

School districts must ensure that every K-12 public, charter, and private schools improves safety measures with an emergency action plan and AED accessibility. This includes students who are on school property.

AEDs must be present when athletic practices or competitions take place at the school.

At least one AED should be readily available in a clearly marked and accessible location. It is crucial for it to be accessible in accordance with the guidelines established by a national organization focused on emergency cardiovascular care.

The American Heart Association recommends AEDs to be placed in strategic locations where they can be retrieved and applied to a victim within 3 minutes of collapse.

Oregon’s HB 4160 states AEDs should be clearly identified, unlocked, and accessible. They are necessary to be incorporated in the cardiac emergency response plan.

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.

The bill goes into effect on July 1, 2027 and will be applied in the 2027-2028 school year.

The cost of an AED is estimated between $1,200 and $3,000. Total costs range based on size of schools and ongoing maintenance requirements.

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

Kaleb Lahr’s Story

In Grants Pass, Oregon, Kaleb Lahr was breathing fast and heavily throughout the day after he was born. His family alerted the staff, but they dismissed his mother’s concerns as first-time-mom jitters. The next day, she raised the issue with another nurse, who decided to do a pulse oximetry test. It showed a low oxygen reading, so the staff ordered an X-ray. Kaleb’s heart had swollen so much that only 8% of it was working. After several harrowing months and multiple surgeries, he pulled through.

Kaleb’s infant heart defects were left undetected for so long that it nearly cost him his life. To prevent other families from having the same experience, his family successfully pushed for hospital policy reform. As Kaleb got older, he too became inspired to fight for everyone’s heart, not just his own.

Kaleb helped advocate for HB 4160 to enhance cardiac emergency preparedness in K-12 public, charter, and private schools. He insisted on the value of equipping every school with the means to save a child’s life in the case of an undiscovered heart defect like his own. 

After months of legislative advocacy, Governor Kotek approved HB 4160 on March 31, 2026, to strengthen CPR preparedness statewide and help save lives in a cardiac emergency. Now there’s a plan in place and an AED ready when every second counts towards a child’s survival.

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

Contact one of our expert consultants to help you find the best fit for your community.

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