A Cabinet meeting on August 9 passed draft amendments to the Emergency Medical Services Act to expand access to automated external defibrillators—or emergency cardiac resuscitation equipment—in public places.
According to the Department of Health, the amendments will also introduce the principle of the "good Samaritan laws" adopted in the U.S. and Canada, which encourages people to provide emergency medical assistance by easing concerns that they might be held legally liable for death or injuries arising from performing the treatment. The revisions are pending legislative review.
Major points in the amendments are as follows:
1. Specified public venues shall install additional emergency medical assistance equipment.
2. As provided in the Civil Code and Criminal Code, non-medical professionals using emergency medical assistance equipment or performing emergency treatment shall not be held responsible for any injury or damage arising from such action.