Governor
Kathy Hochul today signed Desha’s Law (S.5539A/A.785A), a bill requiring every
public school in NY to have a cardiac emergency response plan in place. The
Governor was joined by the bill’s sponsor, Senator April Baskin, and is named
after Senator Baskin’s late cousin, who tragically passed away at school.The
bill signing took place at the Buffalo Bills Training Camp where the Governor
was joined by Desha’s family, and leaders from the NFL and Buffalo Bills. Bills
Safety Damar Hamlin, the Bills, and NFL have been powerful advocates for heart
health and implementing critical training and resources in schools and youth
sports following Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest in January 2023 in which he had
to be resuscitated on the field during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Governor Hochul previously signed legislation requiring camps and youth sports
programs to establish automated external defibrillator, or AED, implementation
plans and to have at least one person trained to properly use the AED at camps,
games and practice.
“Today is an
important day in New York as we take a major step to protect our kids and
school communities in the moments that matter most,” Governor Hochul said. “No
family should have to experience the heartbreak of losing a child when a life
could have been saved. Desha’s Law will ensure our schools are prepared to
respond in an emergency, giving every student a better chance at a healthy,
active life. It is also another testament to New York’s commitment to getting
kids off their phones and outside to play sports, have fun with their friends
and experience life to the fullest.”
Desha’s Law
(S.5539A/A.785A) requires schools safety plans to include a cardiac emergency
response plan that addresses the use of appropriate personnel and measures to
respond to incidents involving any individual experiencing sudden cardiac
arrest or similar life-threatening emergency on any school site owned or
operated by a school or at a location of a school sponsored event.
State
Senator April N.M. Baskin said, “With the implementation of Desha's Law, a Cardiac Emergency
Response Plan (CERP), a detailed outline on what steps to take in a cardiac
emergency, will be in place at every public school across the state. Thank you
again Governor Hochul for signing this vital legislation into law today. May
Desha's memory save the lives of future student athletes and continue to live
in all of our hearts forever.”
Mother of
Desha, Anika Florence-Hall said, “Our grief is deep, but knowing Desha inspired this
legislation means so much. My family and I are grateful for the passage of this
law. Desha will help so many others who I hope will never face the same kind of
tragedy.”
Assemblymember
Michaelle Solages said, “Desha's Law is a vital bill that will enable our schools to proactively
plan and safeguard our student-athletes. This bill is about preparation, not
panic, and about empowering health officials and athletic staff to save lives.
We have seen how instances of cardiac arrest impact families from all
backgrounds—whether on the national level or right here in our local school
districts. I am ecstatic that we have passed this bill and appreciate the
partnership of Senator April Baskin, the American Heart Association, and
Governor Kathy Hochul.”
Buffalo
Bills Safety Damar Hamlin said, “To know that my experience is leading to real change — not
just for people I know, but for lives I may never meet — means the world to me.
This is bigger than football. We’re putting the right systems in place to save
lives, and that’s a legacy I’m proud to be part of.”
National
Football League Vice President of Public Policy and Government Affairs Kenneth
Edmonds said, “On
behalf of the National Football League and the more than 40 organizations that
make up the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, I applaud Governor Hochul for signing
this common-sense, life-saving measure. With this bill crossing the goal line
and into law, New York’s school communities and scholastic athletic venues will
be better prepared with a plan and the practice to swing into action and
respond effectively to a cardiac emergency if it occurs. This is a victory for
student safety.”
President of the American Red Cross Training Services Jack McMaster said, “This bill is a step towards making schools and communities across the country safer by ensuring access to AEDs, providing CPR training and creating emergency response plans, we are excited to be a part of the NFL Smart Heart Sports Coalition which has advocated for this lifesaving legislation. We look forward to working with schools nationwide as they train for the moments that matter.”