AED laws by state › Tennessee
AED Laws in Tennessee (2026)
Short answer: Tennessee requires AEDs in schools: smart Heart Act (2024): every public and nonpublic school serving grades 9-12. There is no statewide gym AED mandate. Like every state, it gives Good Samaritan immunity to people who use an AED in good faith. Verified 1 Oct 2026 against the state code and the SCA Foundation review.
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Tennessee AED requirements at a glance
| Setting | Status in Tennessee | What we found | Law |
|---|---|---|---|
| K-12 schools | Required | Smart Heart Act (2024): every public and nonpublic school serving grades 9-12 | Tenn. Code Ann. title 49 (Smart Heart Act, 2024) |
| Gyms and health clubs | No statewide mandate found | Not among the 14 states the SCA Foundation lists | see sources |
| Government buildings | No statewide mandate verified | No state-building mandate verified | none found |
| Private workplaces | No general mandate found | No general private workplace mandate found | none found |
| Good Samaritan immunity | Yes | Protects people who use an AED in good faith | SCA Foundation review of state laws |
AEDs in Tennessee schools
Tennessee requires AEDs in schools. Smart Heart Act (2024): every public and nonpublic school serving grades 9-12. The law is Tenn. Code Ann. title 49 (Smart Heart Act, 2024).
AEDs in Tennessee gyms and health clubs
Tennessee has no statewide AED mandate for gyms or health clubs. Many clubs still keep one because members are high-risk and insurers ask about it.
Workplaces and government buildings in Tennessee
We found no general Tennessee law that requires private employers to have an AED, and no verified mandate for state buildings. Federal OSHA does not require AEDs either, though it encourages employers to consider them. Local fire codes and building codes can add requirements, so check with your local authority.
Good Samaritan protection in Tennessee
Every state protects people who use an AED in good faith from civil liability (SCA Foundation review of state AED laws). Most of these laws expect the AED to be maintained and, in some states, registered with local EMS. A unit with expired pads or a dead battery can weaken the protection.
Tennessee AED law: questions buyers ask
Are AEDs required in Tennessee schools?
Tennessee requires AEDs in schools: smart Heart Act (2024): every public and nonpublic school serving grades 9-12.
Do gyms in Tennessee need an AED?
No. Tennessee has no statewide gym AED mandate.
Is there Good Samaritan protection for AED use in Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee protects people who use an AED in good faith from civil liability.
Do Tennessee employers have to provide an AED?
No general Tennessee law requires private employers to have one. OSHA encourages AEDs but does not require them.
Sources
Last verified 1 Oct 2026. This page summarises the law for buyers and is not legal advice. Read the statute or ask counsel before you rely on it.