Governor Newsom Signs Lifesaving Legislation to Expand the Accessibility of ‘STOP THE BLEED’ Trauma Kits Across California

(Sacramento, CA) – Last night, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 70, authored by Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D – Pomona). This legislation now requires certain public and private buildings that undergo renovations or modifications with costs exceeding $100,000 to install and maintain six trauma kits on their premises to treat people needing emergency medical.

“As Chair of the Emergency Management Committee, I am focused on preparing Californians for all emergencies, including mass shootings. While traumatic emergencies and natural disasters are both unpredictable, our preparedness efforts ensure we have the ability to respond effectively. AB 70 will better prepare Californians by equipping them with lifesaving tools,” stated Assemblymember Rodriguez.

AB 70 is an expansion of last year’s AB 2260 (Rodriguez, Chapter 556, Statutes of 2022). That legislation now requires the placement of trauma kits in similar new construction buildings. By expanding the accessibility of trauma kits for bystanders to serve as immediate responders, we can provide emergency personnel more time to arrive on scene and continue saving a victim’s life.

Following the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, a group of doctors convened a panel of national experts consisting of law enforcement personnel, fire departments, EMS professionals, and the military to create an improved response system directed at the control of life-threatening blood loss. This group of experts published a series of publications in the Hartford Consensus.

One of the recommendations from the Hartford Consensus II and III was that trauma kits be strategically placed in public places next to automatic external defibrillators (AEDs). Trauma kits include tools such as tourniquets that enable a bystander to get enough pressure on the area to ‘STOP THE BLEED.’

“Having served more than 30 years as a first responder, I have firsthand experience treating a patient suffering severe blood loss and know that every second counts when working to save a life. I am incredibly proud to now expand the accessibility of trauma kits across California to empower more residents to ‘STOP THE BLEED’ and save lives,” added Assemblymember Rodriguez.

Assemblymember Rodriguez (Linktree) represents the 53rd Assembly District which includes the cities of Chino, Montclair, Ontario, Pomona, and Upland. He is Chair of the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management.