SB 556, passed by the 2009 Oregon Legislature, is one of many such mandates being enacted across the country. The law requires that businesses with 50,000 square feet or more and that have at least 25 individuals congregated on a normal business day, have automated external defibrillators on their premises. The law contains a Good Samaritan clause that bars lawsuits arising from the use of the AED.

An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable electronic device that analyzes cardiac rhythm and prompts a user to deliver a shock when necessary. An AED, used under life-threatening situation, requires the user to attach pads to a patient's chest, turn the device on, and follow audio instructions. The AED first looks for a shockable heart rhythm. An AED cannot administer shock unless it has determined the victim's condition requires it; thus, a rescuer cannot accidentally deliver shock. The intended use of an AED is to move abnormal heart rhythm such as ventricular fibrillation back to a normal rhythm.

To read SB 556 here: SB 556 (link to PDF of enrolled version on legislative web site.)