Maine: Paul Davis

Despite their relative affordability and simplicity of use, defibrillators are not standard equipment in Maine assisted living and residential care facilities. On Tuesday, lawmakers on the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee gave thumbs down to a proposal to require the lifesaving devices in these settings.

LD 573, sponsored by Rep. Paul Davis, R-Sangerville, would require assisted living facilities and other residential care centers to purchase a defibrillator and to have working at all times at least one staff member trained in its use.

The measure would not affect nursing homes, which provide a higher level of care but also are not required to have defibrillators.