Cardiac Emergency Response Plans legislation passes Senate and Assembly
American Heart Association applauds the unanimous votes for this lifesaving measure
ALBANY, N.Y., June 13, 2025 – The New York state Senate and Assembly took steps to make New York’s schools safer when they unanimously passed S.5585-A and A.785-A on Wednesday, June 11. Sponsored by state Sen. April N.M. Baskin and state Assemblymember Michaelle Solages, the legislation would put Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs) in all of New York’s schools.
The Assembly passed A.785-A by a vote of 145-0, and the Senate passed S.5585-A 59 – 0.
Next, the legislation must go to Gov. Kathy Hochul for her approval.
“Imagine the joy of watching your daughter playing basketball at her middle school gym, having fun with her teammates,” said April N.M. Baskin, sponsor of S.5585-A. “Now, imagine that day turning into a nightmare when disaster strikes. Desha Sanders, my vibrant, 12-year-old cousin, suddenly collapsed on the gym floor. She was in cardiac arrest. While an automated external defibrillator was available in the school, no one could locate the keys to open the unit. Precious minutes ticked by as Desha’s life hung by a thread. She was rushed to the emergency room, but Desha died. As a mother and Desha’s cousin, I want to assure parents, staff and every student that I’m fighting for you if the unthinkable happens in your school. Desha’s Law calls for a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP), a detailed outline on what steps to take in a cardiac emergency, in every public school across the state. CERP was borne out of tragedy after Desha lost her life. With the passage of this legislation, lives will undoubtedly be saved. Thank you to the Sanders and Hall families for sharing Desha’s story, to the American Heart Association for their leadership and to my colleagues for their support. May Desha’s memory continue to live in all of our hearts.”
“I am proud to sponsor this life-saving legislation to ensure every school in New York has a clear plan in place during a cardiac emergency,” said state Assemblymember Michaelle Solages, sponsor of A.785-A. “This bill is about preparation, not panic—and giving our school communities the tools to act swiftly when every second counts. I thank Senator April Baskin for her partnership and the American Heart Association for their tireless advocacy.
I urge Governor Hochul to sign this bill into law so we can protect more lives across our state.”
Ann Furner of Whitesboro is a sudden cardiac arrest survivor who met with legislators and helped host the CPR Showdown between the state Assembly and the state Senate on April 8. The Assembly beat out the Senate, and, in one day, 200 people learned Hands-Only CPR.
Response Plans legislation, which would require all schools to have a plan in place should
someone suffer sudden cardiac arrest. Furner was part of the “CPR Showdown” at the state
Capitol on April 8, where she was part of the efforts to help train some of the 200 people who
learned Hands-Only CPR that day. On June 11, the New York state Seante and Assembly
passed the legislation, which must now be signed by Gov. Hochul.
“I am still here today because trained professionals were at church when I suffered my sudden cardiac arrest,” Furner said. “Our students’ lives cannot be left to chance. The community attends daily events in our schools, and on their playing fields. We will be keeping our children, their families and our entire community safer. I’m proud of New York State legislators for recognizing the importance of education and preparation during a cardiac arrest. I look forward to Gov. Hochul making this a reality in our schools.”
“The Senate and Assembly voted to help schools save lives should a sudden cardiac arrest occur in a school,” said Kaweeda G. Adams, advocacy ambassador to the American Heart Association and former superintendent of the Albany City School District. “Having a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan in place leaves no room for hesitation. It outlines the steps to take in a cardiac emergency, the location of an AED and who will take what action. We thank Senator Baskin and Assemblywoman Solages for sponsoring these two bills and applaud the Senate and Assembly for unanimously approving this potentially lifesaving legislation. Many advocates from around the state worked on getting this legislation in place, and we call on Gov. Hochul to approve this measure without delay.”
The NFL and the Smart Heart Sports Coalition have worked alongside the American Heart Association to pass Cardiac Emergency Response Plans.
“On behalf of the National Football League and the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, I applaud the New York State Legislature for passing this common-sense, life-saving legislation,” said Jeff Miller, executive vice president of communications, public affairs and health policy at the National Football League. “Thanks to the unwavering efforts of the Buffalo Bills, our broad team of advocates and our legislative champions, Assemblywoman Solages and Senator Baskin, this legislation is moving forward. This bill is headed to Governor Hochul’s desk for her signature. It will ensure that schools implement an effective plan to respond to a sudden cardiac arrest on school grounds and at school-sponsored events. The law will clinch a victory for the health and safety of young people across the state.”
Each year, 350,000 people suffer out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest, and only 10% survive. With about 2,418,513 students enrolled in New York public schools in pre-K to grade 12; and 215,701 public school teachers, numerous parents and community members using schools daily, it is important that school facilities have a plan in place to address cardiac arrest.
It is estimated that there are more than 23,000 children under the age of 18 who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital each year in the U.S.
