The New Jersey Assembly could give final legislative approval tomorrow to a measure that would remove the risk of lawsuits for using a life-saving device.

An increasing number of public places now have automated external defibrillators to assist cardiac arrest victims. New Jersey requires anyone who uses those devices to be certified.

Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Joe Cryan would eliminate that requirement and give immunity from civil lawsuits to members of the public who operate a defibrillator in an emergency.

“At the soccer game for your son or daughter and someone falls into cardiac arrest and the defibrillator is there whether someone can be certified or not the technology will walk you through and potentially save a life.”

Employees at health clubs, nursing homes, and facilities that have defibrillators will still be required to have CPR certification.