Texas has ~30 million residents and one of the more codified AED legal frameworks in the country, anchored by the Cody Stephens Memorial Act for K-12 athletics and Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §74.151 for Good Samaritan protection.
Texas requires AEDs in K-12 schools (Cody Stephens Act). All AED owners must register with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and maintain devices per the manufacturer’s specs. Good Samaritan protection covers lay rescuers, owners, and trainers under Civil Practice & Remedies Code §74.151.
K-12 schools, Cody Stephens Act
Named for an athlete who died of sudden cardiac arrest, the Cody Stephens Act (Texas Education Code §38.017) requires public schools to have AEDs at athletic facilities and to ensure CPR + AED-trained staff are present during interscholastic athletic events. Schools must also develop emergency action plans.
Registration with DSHS
Texas requires all AED owners to notify the Texas Department of State Health Services of device location and contact information within 30 days of installation. DSHS maintains a statewide AED registry to support EMS dispatch routing during cardiac events. Registration is free and renews annually.
Good Samaritan protection, TCPRC §74.151
Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §74.151 protects bystanders who use an AED in good faith and without gross negligence. Protection extends to the AED owner (provided the device was maintained), the trainer who provided CPR + AED instruction, and the manufacturer of the product within the FDA clearance scope.
Health studios and public-access facilities
Texas does not have a statewide health club AED mandate equivalent to California’s Civil Code §1714.21. However, many Texas municipalities (Houston, Dallas, Austin) require AEDs in larger public-access facilities. Verify with the local health department before procurement.
Texas compliance checklist
| Model | New | Recertified | You save | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philips HeartStart OnSite | $1,589 | $875 | $714, 45% | 1 to 45 or more |
| Philips HeartStart FRx | $2,099 | $875 | $1,224, 58% | 1 to 45 or more |
| ZOLL AED Plus | $2,082 | $875 | $1,207, 58% | 1 to 45 or more |
| ZOLL AED 3 | $2,399 | $1,150 | $1,249, 52% | 1 to 45 or more |
| HeartSine Samaritan PAD 350P | $1,411 | $875 | $536, 38% | 1 to 45 or more |
| HeartSine Samaritan PAD 450P | $1,761 | $875 | $886, 50% | 1 to 45 or more |
| Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 | $2,157 | $1,225 | $932, 43% | 1 to 45 or more |
| Requirement | Applies to | Status |
|---|---|---|
| AED in K-12 athletic facilities | Public schools with athletics | Required |
| CPR + AED-trained staff at events | K-12 athletic events | Required |
| Emergency action plan | K-12 schools | Required |
| DSHS registration | All AED owners | Required within 30 days |
| Health-club AEDs | Statewide | Local rules vary |
| Annual maintenance | All AED owners | Required |
Frequently asked questions
Do Texas schools need AEDs?
Yes. The Cody Stephens Act requires AEDs at public K-12 athletic facilities, with trained staff present at interscholastic events.
Do I need to register my AED in Texas?
Yes. Notify the Texas Department of State Health Services within 30 days of installation.
Does Texas have a Good Samaritan AED law?
Yes. TCPRC §74.151 protects rescuers, owners, and trainers acting in good faith without gross negligence.
Do Texas gyms need AEDs?
No statewide mandate, but many municipalities (Houston, Dallas, Austin) require them in larger public-access facilities. Check local rules.
What’s the maintenance standard in Texas?
Manufacturer specifications, plus monthly visual inspection. Failed maintenance may void the owner’s Good Samaritan protection.
Pediatric-first AED procurement
The free quiz routes daycare-profile buyers to the right pediatric-capable model.
Sources
- Texas Education Code §38.017 (Cody Stephens Memorial Act)
- Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §74.151, AED Good Samaritan
- Texas Department of State Health Services
Educational content. Not legal advice. Verify current statute with Texas DSHS or qualified counsel.
