Committee clears bill to allow signage on state routes for public outdoor AEDs; sets Oct. 1, 2025 effective date

The Minnesota Senate Transportation Committee on Feb. 17 recommended passage of Senate File 1395 as amended (A4). The bill permits qualified participants that install publicly accessible, externally mounted automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to request directional signage on state and local roadways. The A4 amendment reorganized definitions, clarified qualifying-participant criteria, required that costs be paid by the participant, and directed the relevant road authority to determine suitable sign locations. The amendment also set an effective date of Oct. 1, 2025 to allow the Department of Transportation to incorporate signage into the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

Senator Howe described the problem: many AEDs are mounted in exterior cabinets and available 24/7, but drivers do not always know their locations, particularly along state highways. Rich Finice, founder of Advocates for Health, testified that his nonprofit installs monitored outdoor AED cabinets and routinely works with local engineering departments to mount directional signs on existing sign structures. "Every location that we have, it only makes good sense to make people aware of the fact there are life saving AED available," Finice said.

Committee counsel Mr. Greenfield walked members through the A4 amendment, saying it adds a definition of public-access AED, moves qualifying-participant criteria into reorganized clauses, directs the road authority to determine suitable sign location and number, and changes the effective date to Oct. 1, 2025 to permit incorporation into state traffic-control guidance. He also said the commissioner must maintain program information on the department website as guidance for local authorities.

Senators asked about cost and signage standards. Finice and counsel confirmed the bill directs that all costs for installation, maintenance, and removal of signage are paid by the qualified participant and that the A4 amendment directs those costs to the relevant road authority. Senator Nelson noted the existing PulsePoint app registers AEDs; Finice testified the units his group installs are registered on PulsePoint, which maps AED locations for first responders and the public.

Senator Howe offered A4; the committee approved the amendment and then recommended SF 1395 to pass and referred it to the Committee on State and Local Government. The amendment and bill passed by voice vote; the transcript records no numerical roll-call tally. The effective date in A4 was set to Oct. 1, 2025 to allow MnDOT and stakeholders time to adopt signage into the statewide manual.