Sen. Baskin Sponsors Senate Bill Implementing a Cardiac Emergency Plan in NYS Schools

April 9, 2025

For Immediate Release:
Contact: Brenda Alesii, Communications Director, 716-861-7288

Senator Baskin sponsors Senate Bill Implementing a Cardiac Emergency Plan in NYS Schools Baskin Recalls Loss of Young Relative Due to Inadequate Planning

BUFFALO, NY– Earlier this week in Albany, State Senator April N. M. Baskin joined several colleagues to learn Hands-Only CPR during a day-long “CPR Showdown” at the Capitol. Members of the public joined in, with a total of 250 people taking five minutes to learn Hands-Only CPR.

Senator Baskin is the sponsor of S.5539 and Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages is sponsoring A.785, bills that would create Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs) in New York’s schools.

“When the unthinkable happens and a cardiac event occurs on a school property, every second counts,” said Senator Baskin. “With a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan and AEDs on-site, the stricken individual will have a much better chance to survive. These critical resources, available to students, staƯ, and visitors, can buy time before professional medical help arrives.”

Tragically, Senator Baskin lost her young cousin several years ago when she suƯered a cardiac event while playing basketball at school. An AED was on-site, but no plan existed on accessing the device. Baskin’s cousin died shortly after.

BASKIN AUDIO CLIP OF INCIDENT ATTACHED

Every year, 356,000 people have a sudden cardiac arrest, according to the American Heart Association. Only 10 percent survive. The good news is that having CPR performed doubles or triples a victim’s chance of survival.

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