Iowa AED Laws
All laws and codes pertaining to AEDs and defibrillators in the state of Iowa can be found below.
We've highlighted statutes and codes in red that tend to be overlooked in AED programs in the state of Iowa. Whereas anyone in Iowa in charge of an AED program will want to familiarize themselves with all of the statutes outlined below, those highlighted in red you'll want to pay particular attention to.
For clients looking for an easy way to ensure their AED program is fully compliant with Iowa state law, our AED Concierge Service allows you to rest assured you're fully complaint with what the state requires of AED programs. The service costs $249/year and includes other perks aside from medical oversight and direction, such as complimentary battery and electrode replacements, 24/7 customer support, web portal for required monthly records, and more.
Have a question on any of the laws outlined below? Please let us know. Simply give us a call and/or send us an email and any one of our team members will be more than happy to assist you and your AED program.
IOWA STATE AED LAWS
Iowa Code § 613.17
Emergency assistance in an accident:
1. A person, who in good faith renders emergency care or assistance without compensation, shall not be liable for any civil damages for acts or omissions occurring at the place of an emergency or accident or while the person is in transit to or from the emergency or accident or while the person is at or being moved to or from an emergency shelter unless such acts or omissions constitute recklessness or willful and wanton misconduct. An emergency includes but is not limited to a disaster as defined in section 29C.2 or the period of time immediately following a disaster for which the governor has issued a proclamation of a disaster emergency pursuant to section 29C.6.
a. For purposes of this subsection, if a volunteer fire fighter, a volunteer operator or attendant of an ambulance or rescue squad service, a volunteer paramedic, a volunteer emergency medical technician, or a volunteer registered member of the national ski patrol system receives nominal compensation not based upon the value of the services performed, that person shall be considered to be receiving no compensation.b. For purposes of this subsection, operation of a motor vehicle in compliance with section 321.231 by a volunteer fire fighter, volunteer operator, or attendant of an ambulance or rescue squad service, a volunteer paramedic, or volunteer emergency medical technician shall be considered rendering emergency care or assistance.c. For purposes of this subsection, a person rendering emergency care or assistance includes a person involved in a workplace rescue arising out of an emergency or accident.
2. The following persons or entities, while acting reasonably and in good faith, who render emergency care or assistance relating to the preparation for and response to a sudden cardiac arrest emergency, shall not be liable for any civil damages for acts or omissions arising out of the use of an automated external defibrillator, whether occurring at the place of an emergency or accident or while such persons are in transit to or from the emergency or accident or while such persons are at or being moved to or from an emergency shelter:
a. A person or entity that acquires an automated external defibrillator.b. A person or entity that owns, manages, or is otherwise responsible for the premises on which an automated external defibrillator is located if the person or entity maintains the automated external defibrillator in a condition for immediate and effective use at all times, subject to standards developed by the department of public health by rule.c. A person who retrieves an automated external defibrillator in response to a perceived sudden cardiac arrest emergency.d. A person who uses, attempts to use, or fails to use an automated external defibrillator in response to a perceived sudden cardiac arrest emergency.e. A person or entity that provides instruction in the use of an automated external defibrillator.
Iowa Code § 135.26
§ 135.26. Automated external defibrillator grant program:
The department shall establish and implement an automated external defibrillator grant program which provides matching funds to local boards of health, community organizations, or cities for the program after standards and requirements for the utilization of automated external defibrillator equipment, and training on the use of such equipment, are developed at the local level. The objective of the program shall be to enhance the emergency response system in rural areas of the state where access to health care providers is often limited by providing increased access to automated external defibrillator equipment by rural emergency and community personnel. A local board of health, community organization, or city may submit an application to the department for review. The department shall establish criteria for the review and approval of grant applications by rule, and may accept gifts, grants, bequests, and other private contributions, as well as state or federal funds, for purposes of the program. The amount of a grant shall not exceed fifty percent of the cost of the automated external defibrillator equipment to be distributed to the applicant and the training program to be administered by the applicant at the local level. Each application shall include information demonstrating that the applicant will provide matching funds of fifty percent of the cost of the program. Grant recipients shall submit an annual report to the department indicating automated external defibrillator equipment usage levels, patient outcomes, and number of individuals trained. For the purposes of this section, "rural" means a geographic area outside an urban or suburban setting with a population of less than fifty thousand persons.
Iowa Code § 147A.15
147A.15. Automated external defibrillator equipment--penalty:
Any person who damages, wrongfully takes or withholds, or removes any component of automated external defibrillator equipment located in a public or privately owned location, including batteries installed to operate the equipment, is guilty of a serious misdemeanor.
Iowa Administrative Code § 641-143.2(135)
For the purposes of these rules, the following definitions shall apply:
"Automated external defibrillator" or "AED" means an external semiautomatic device that determines whether defibrillation is required."Community organization" means an educational institution, nonprofit organization, social service agency, philanthropic organization, or business, trade, or professional association."CPR" means cardiopulmonary resuscitation."Department" means the Iowa department of public health."Early defibrillation program" means a program established by the applicant to enhance and supplement the local EMS system."EMS" means emergency medical services."Local board of health" means a county, city, or district board of health."Rural" means a geographic area outside an urban or suburban setting with a population of less than 15,000 persons.
Iowa Administrative Code § 641-143.3(135)
To be eligible for an automated external defibrillator program grant, a local board of health, community organization or city shall:
143.3(1) Properly complete and submit the department's AED grant program application, which shall require an applicant to:
143.3(2) Notify local EMS service programs of the intent to establish an early defibrillation program.a. Demonstrate the ability to provide matching funds of 50 percent of the cost of the program;b. Designate an individual who shall be responsible for the overall supervision of the early defibrillation program; andc. Include a plan for increasing rural emergency or community personnel access to automated external defibrillator equipment; and
Iowa Administrative Code § 641-143.4(135)
A local board of health, community organization or city that receives an automated external defibrillator program grant shall:
143.4(1) Adopt and implement a policy that ensures establishment of an emergency plan of action; AED maintenance; personnel competency in the use of an AED and CPR; and a method for post event analysis and staff debriefing.143.4(2) Designate an individual who shall be responsible for the overall supervision of the early defibrillation program.143.4(3) Submit an annual report to the department indicating the number of AED uses, patient outcomes and number of individuals trained.143.4(4) Comply with the terms and conditions of the contract with the department for implementation of the program.