(Effective July 1, 2028) Automated external defibrillators required at local government sporting events and sporting facilities
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-1808.1
in effectA. For the purposes of this section:
"Automated external defibrillator" or "AED" means the same as that term is defined in § 32.1-111.1 .
"Local government sporting event" means any athletic or sporting event organized or sponsored by a locality.
"Local government sporting facility" means the portions of any outdoor or indoor facility owned or operated by a locality that are being used for organized athletic or sporting activities.
B. Each locality shall ensure that operational automated external defibrillators are readily available at (i) every local government sporting facility during hours of operation and (ii) every local government sporting event, whether held at a local government sporting facility or elsewhere. Each locality shall develop a plan for the placement, care, and use of AEDs in every local government sporting facility to promote AED accessibility.
C. Indoor local government sporting facilities shall be required to have a minimum number of operational AEDs as follows:
1. Facilities under 10,000 square feet being used for organized athletic or sporting activities: one AED.
2. Facilities 10,000 to 30,000 square feet being used for organized athletic or sporting activities: two AEDs.
3. Facilities over 30,000 square feet being used for organized athletic or sporting activities: two AEDs, plus one additional AED for every 20,000 square feet.
D. Outdoor local government sporting facilities shall be required to have a minimum number of operational AEDs as follows:
1. Facilities under five acres being used for organized athletic or sporting activities: one AED.
2. Facilities five to 15 acres being used for organized athletic or sporting activities: two AEDs.
3. Facilities over 15 acres being used for organized athletic or sporting activities: two AEDs, plus one additional AED for every 10 acres.
E. For local government sporting events held at locations other than local government sporting facilities, a minimum number of operational AEDs shall be required as follows:
1. Events with under 500 attendees: one AED.
2. Events with 500 to 2,000 attendees: two AEDs.
3. Events with over 2,000 attendees: two AEDs, plus one additional AED for every 1,000 attendees.
F. Each AED shall be (i) located in a clearly marked and publicly accessible location, (ii) properly maintained and tested according to manufacturer's specifications, (iii) registered with the local emergency medical services agency, and (iv) accompanied by appropriate signage indicating its location.
2026, c. 481 .
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/15.2-1808.1/Fetched: 10/16/2026