The Ultimate Guide to Bleeding Control (“Stop the Bleed”) Laws, Ordinances, and Programs in the United States

The Ultimate Guide to Bleeding Control (“Stop the Bleed”) Laws, Ordinances, and Programs in the United States*

Severe bleeding is one of the leading causes of preventable death after injury. In recent years, there has been a nationwide push to make bleeding control kits as common and accessible as AEDs in public spaces. This effort has led to a growing number of state laws, municipal ordinances, and public safety programs requiring or encouraging bleeding control kits and training.

In this article, we’ve compiled the most comprehensive, up‑to‑date database of legislation, building codes, and public programs addressing bleeding control kits and training in the United States — from statewide mandates to local city ordinances.  *We always welcome new submissions and/or revisions to this page.

Why Bleeding Control Laws Matter

The "Stop the Bleed" initiative, launched by the American College of Surgeons and the Department of Homeland Security, aims to empower everyday people to save lives in emergencies — whether from active shooter incidents, workplace accidents, or motor vehicle crashes.

These laws and programs generally require:

• Placement of bleeding control kits in accessible public locations.
• Standardized kit contents, such as tourniquets, hemostatic dressings, trauma shears, gloves, and instructional cards.
• Training requirements for staff, teachers, or the public.
• Maintenance and inspection protocols to ensure readiness.
• Liability protection for those who use the kits in good faith.

State-Level Bleeding Control Laws

Many states have passed laws mandating bleeding control kits and training, especially in schools, while others are implementing public building requirements.

States with Enacted or Pending Legislation:

🏛 State-Level Statutes & Legislation

• California – AB 2260 / AB 70 – Mandates kits in public buildings and schools AB 2260 Bill Text | AB 70 Bill Text
• Texas – HB 496 (Education Code §38.029) – Requires bleeding control kit program in public schools and training Bill Text
• Indiana – House Act 1063 (2019) – High school bleeding control training Bill Text
• Arkansas – HB 1014 (2019) – Bleeding control training for grades 9–12 Bill Text
• Missouri – SB 68 (2025) – K–12 kit and training mandates Bill Text
• Washington – SB 5790 / RCW 28A.210.440 (2024) – Kits and training in public K–12 schools Bill Text | RCW Text
• Colorado – HB 23‑1213 (2023) – Optional state-supported kit/training program Bill Text
• Virginia – HB 1700 (2025) – Kits and bleeding-control programs in schools Bill Text
• New York – A 4242 / S 309 (2025) – School kit program, training, immunity A4242 Bill Text | S309 Bill Text
• Connecticut – HB 7200 (effective July 1 2025) – Kits and training in public/state buildings Bill PDF
• Arizona – SB 1428 (pilot) – Bleeding control kits in select districts Bill Text
• West Virginia – SB 715 (2024) – County school board kit/training mandate Bill Text
• Florida – Statutes §§1003.457, 1001.42(28), 1012.5841, 768.1326 – Statewide kits/training Statute §1003.457

🏙 County and City-Level Ordinances / Programs

Municipal and County Ordinances

Several counties and cities have gone further than their state governments, enacting local building codes and safety ordinances requiring bleeding control kits in specific types of buildings.

Florida Metro / Counties

• Broward County, FL – Fire Code Amendment (2022) – Kits in high-risk occupancies Ordinance PDF
• City of Miramar, FL – Ordinance No. 19‑19 – AEDs and BCKs in specified buildings Ordinance PDF
• City of Delray Beach, FL – Code Chapter 96 Amendment – AED co-location Municipal Code
• Miami‑Dade County, FL – Resolution R‑884‑24 (2024) – Kits & AEDs in county facilities Resolution PDF
• Miami Beach, FL – Classroom kit program (2021) – Commission funded News Article
• Jacksonville-area School Districts, FL – Kit deployment in all high schools News Article
• Pembroke Pines, FL – Ordinance 1833 (2016) – AEDs in businesses, free Stop the Bleed training Program Page

Other U.S. Cities and Counties:

Georgia Metro

• Fulton County / Atlanta Metro, GA – Georgia Trauma Commission kit distribution Program Page

Illinois

• Chicago, IL – Safe Chicago Program – 1,000+ kits in city facilities Program Page
• City of Bexley, OH – Ordinance Chapter 1485 – AEDs & BCKs in businesses/public buildings Municipal Code

Maryland

• Howard County, MD – Fire & Rescue Bleeding Control Program Program Page

Washington State Metro

• King County / Seattle Area, WA – FEMA-funded kit distribution News Article
• Seattle, WA – OEM public Stop the Bleed program Program Page

New York City, NY

• Intro 1430‑2019 – Proposed pilot program (not enacted) Bill Text

Philadelphia, PA

• Philadelphia Fire Dept – Stop the Bleed training Program Page

San Francisco, CA

• SF Fire / Emergency Services – Training and kit program Program Page

Austin / Travis County, TX

• ATCEMS / AISD – Community training and kit placement News Article 1 | News Article 2

Common Elements of Bleeding Control Legislation

Across states and municipalities, these laws share common components:

1. Kit Requirements – Most specify contents: at least one tourniquet, compression bandage, hemostatic dressing, trauma shears, gloves, and an instructional guide.

2. Training Mandates – Staff or the general public are often trained to use the kits effectively.

3. Placement Standards – Kits must be placed in visible, accessible locations, often alongside AEDs.

4. Maintenance Protocols – Annual inspections, restocking after use, and replacement of expired items.

5. Legal Protections – Good Samaritan immunity for individuals who use the kits in emergencies.

The Future of Bleeding Control Readiness

The trend is clear: more states and municipalities are recognizing the life-saving potential of bleeding control kits and integrating them into public safety infrastructure.
Advocacy groups, trauma surgeons, and first responders are pushing for:

• Expansion of building codes to include bleeding control kits in all high-occupancy spaces.

• Federal legislation (like the proposed BLEEDing Act) to create uniform national standards.

• Public awareness campaigns to normalize carrying personal bleeding control supplies.

Conclusion

Bleeding control laws and ordinances are saving lives by ensuring that the right tools are in the right place at the right time. Whether mandated by state law, required by local ordinance, or provided through proactive community programs, these kits — combined with public training — empower bystanders to act decisively in the most critical moments.

If you’re a school administrator, building manager, or safety coordinator, it’s essential to:

• Understand your jurisdiction’s requirements.

• Install and maintain compliant bleeding control kits.

• Ensure staff and the public are trained in their use.

Lives depend on it.