SENATE HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND SENIOR CITIZENS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 3014

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MAY 11, 2026

      The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 3014.

This bill requires certain golf courses to maintain an automated external defibrillator.

     The bill defines "golf course" to mean a publicly-owned or privately-owned tract of land that contains a regulation-sized, minimum 18-hole course consisting mostly of par-4 holes with a mix of par-3 and par-5 holes that is open to the general public, including a 9-hole course, an executive course, a par-3 course, and a driving range complex.  "Golf course" does not mean a miniature golf course, or other such lesser-sized golf facilities.

     No later than one year after the bill’s effective date, the owner or operator of a golf course is to:  (1) acquire at least one automated external defibrillator, and store it in an accessible location within the golf course that is known and available to the employees of the golf course; and (2) ensure that the automated external defibrillator is tested and maintained, and provide notification to the appropriate first aid, ambulance, or rescue squad, or other appropriate emergency medical services provider regarding the defibrillator, the type acquired, and its location.

     Under the bill, the owner or operator of a golf course is to:  (1) arrange and pay for training in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator for the employees of that golf course; (2) ensure that the golf course has at least one employee on site during its normal business hours who holds current certification from the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or other training program recognized by the Department of Health in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and use of a defibrillator; and (3) ensure that an employee who uses a defibrillator requests emergency medical assistance from the appropriate first aid, ambulance, or rescue squad as soon as practicable.

     The bill provides that a person who violates the bill’s provisions is to be liable to a civil penalty of not less than $250 for the first violation, not less than $500 for the second violation, and not less than $1,000 for the third and each subsequent violation.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2026-2027 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amendments revise the bill’s definition of “golf course” to include a 9-hole course, an executive course, a par-3 course, a driving range complex.  As introduced, the bill excluded these courses from the bill’s definition of “golf course.”

      The committee amendments make a technical change concerning spelling.