Bills · HR 5897
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 5897Transportation and Public Works
Public Access to Defibrillation in Transportation Facilities Act of 2025
INTRO OCT 31· LAST ACTION NOV 1
READING
4MIN
COSPONSORS
4BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenSudden cardiac arrest is a major cause of death, and quick action with an AED can dramatically increase survival rates. This bill matters because it seeks to improve public safety in crowded transportation hubs where many people gather daily. By making it easier for these facilities to acquire AEDs and develop emergency plans, it could mean the difference between life and death for someone experiencing a cardiac emergency far from immediate medical help.
If this bill becomes law, more public transportation spaces could have readily available AEDs and trained personnel, potentially saving hundreds of lives annually. If it doesn't pass, the deployment of AEDs in these critical public spaces might continue to be slow and inconsistent, leaving a gap in emergency preparedness that could be fatal for those who suffer sudden cardiac arrest in transit.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Expands the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program to allow funds to be used for purchasing and placing AEDs and for developing emergency action plans at eligible transportation facilities.
This makes it financially easier for states and local governments to equip public transportation areas with life-saving devices and prepare for medical emergencies.
PROVISION 02
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue recommendations for AED placement and maintenance, and guidelines for emergency action plans at interstate transportation facilities.
This provides clear, expert-backed guidance to ensure AEDs are placed effectively and facilities are prepared to use them, rather than leaving it to individual discretion.
PROVISION 03
Allows the Department of Transportation to provide technical assistance to facilities and to impose conditions on other financial assistance programs to encourage adoption of the AED recommendations and emergency plan guidelines.
This provides support for implementation and creates an incentive for facilities to comply, enhancing the likelihood of widespread adoption.
PROVISION 04
Defines "interstate transportation facility" broadly to include bus terminals, ferry terminals, rail terminals, highway rest areas, and certain rail vehicles.
This clarifies the wide range of public spaces that would be covered by the bill's provisions, ensuring broad application where people congregate.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 4
R· New Jersey
YRS IN OFFICE
7
BILLS LED
57
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 50%
DEM 3 REP 1 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
3 EVENTSNOV 1
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
OCT 31
Introduced in House
OCT 31
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 5897
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedOct 31, 2025
Last actionNov 1, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED OCT 31, 2025
House BillHR 5897Transportation and Public Works
Public Access to Defibrillation in Transportation Facilities Act of 2025
INTRODUCED OCT 31, 2025· LAST ACTION NOV 1, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
4 min
COSPONSORS
4
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
