Chattooga County
Mason Sells AED Coordination Act Registration
The Georgia General Assembly passed Senate Bill (SB) 399, known as the Mason Sells AED Coordination Act, to help save lives by improving public access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) during emergencies.
The law requires individuals, businesses, schools, government agencies, and organizations that own or maintain an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to register the device’s location with their local 9-1-1 communications center before placing it into service.
AED Registration
Owners or custodians of an AED must register the device’s location with their local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agency and Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP/9-1-1).
In Chattooga County, Chattooga County EMA/E-911 serves as the official AED registration agency. The agency will maintain AED location information and provide it to Emergency Medical Services to help responders, and 9-1-1 dispatchers quickly identify the nearest available AED during an emergency.
9-1-1 Dispatcher Training
The Mason Sells AED Coordination Act requires 9-1-1 dispatchers and communications officers to receive training in providing telephone-assisted CPR instructions and guiding callers in the use of an AED.
Chattooga County EMA/E-911 has long required all Communications Officers to maintain accredited Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) certification, which includes training to provide CPR and AED instructions to callers during emergency situations.
AED Training and Good Samaritan Protections
The law recommends that anyone who may have access to or be responsible for using an AED complete nationally recognized CPR and AED training.
Businesses and organizations are encouraged to ensure that employees or designated AED coordinators know the location of the device and are properly trained in its operation. If you need assistance locating CPR and AED training, please let us know when submitting your registration form. We will be happy to provide contact information for local training resources.
The Act also reinforces Georgia’s Good Samaritan protections for first responders and individuals who, in good faith, use an AED while assisting someone experiencing a medical emergency.
Background
The legislation was inspired by the tragic death of Mason Sells, a 20-year-old Mercer University student who suffered cardiac arrest during an intramural soccer match. Although an AED was available nearby, neither bystanders nor the 9-1-1 dispatcher knew its exact location or how to access it in time.
The incident highlighted the importance of maintaining an accurate registry of publicly accessible AEDs so dispatchers can direct callers to the nearest device during a cardiac emergency.
Timeline
Passed: The Georgia General Assembly unanimously approved Senate Bill 399, and Governor Brian Kemp signed it into law.
Effective Date: July 1, 2026.
