Purpose

• Establish a program to help people locate outdoor public access automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) by adding road-sign guidance. The goal is to increase public access to AEDs and reduce delays in finding them during emergencies.

Main Provisions

• Eligible AED Locations: A location or business with a registered outdoor public access AED (as defined by the existing registration in section 403.51) may request that a city, county, town, state, or federal road authority place directional AED wayfinding signs on roadways under the road authority’s jurisdiction.
• Signage Placement and Content: Signs should identify the AED location and be placed to guide drivers toward the device. Placement distances, as practicable, are:
  • 200 to 300 feet before an intersection, or
  • 800 to 1,600 feet before an interchange. Signs may use a symbol, text, or both to promote AED availability.
• Registration and Inspections: The AED location must meet the registration and inspection requirements described in section 403.51.
• Timeline for Signage: The road authority must place appropriate AED signs within 60 days after receiving a request from the AED location.
• Funding and Maintenance: All costs for installation, maintenance, and removal of the signs are paid by the qualified AED participants (the locations requesting the signs).
• Signage Removal if AED Changes: If a registered outdoor public access AED is removed or becomes non-operational, the participant must promptly inform the road authority to remove the signs as soon as practicable.
• On-Premises Accessibility: AEDs must be placed in a recognizable and easily accessible location on the premises, with conspicuous signage identifying the device.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a new provision (MINNESOTA STATUTES chapter 160.1, section 160.802) to codify AED wayfinding signage, linking AED locations (registered under existing law) to directed roadwy signage.
• Requires road authorities to act within a defined 60-day window from a request to install signs, establishing a formal process and timeline.
• Establishes funding responsibility for installation, maintenance, and removal of signage to the AED location (qualified participants), tying private funding to public roadway guidance.

Implementation Context

• Cross-References: Relates to AED registration and inspection requirements in section 403.51; integrates with existing state and local road authorities responsible for roadway signage.
• Accessibility and Visibility: Emphasizes easily accessible AED placement and conspicuous, recognizable on-premises signage in addition to the roadside wayfinding signs.

What This Bill Seeks to Accomplish

• Improve public access to AEDs by creating standardized roadside signs directing people to the nearest AED location.
• Create a clear, fast-track process for sign installation and a funding structure for maintenance, ensuring signage remains current with AED availability.

Relevant Terms AED (automatic external defibrillator), outdoor public access AED, wayfinding signs, road authority, city/county/town/state/federal road authority, signage, intersection, interchange, 200-300 feet, 800-1600 feet, symbol, text, registration, inspection, section 403.51, Minnesota Statutes chapter 160, 160.802, qualified participants, installation, maintenance, removal, recognizable location, conspicuous signage.