Baskin Family Tragedy Serves As Catalyst for Desha's Law

June 12, 2025

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

ALBANY, NY – Yesterday both the State Senate and the State Assembly passed S.5539A “Desha’s Law,” a bill requiring public schools across New York State to provide cardiac arrest  training and a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP) in order to access Automated External Defibrillators (AED) to be used for students, school personnel, and visitors sulfering from sudden heart failure.

Senator Baskin said, “Imagine the joy of watching your daughter playing basketball at her middle school gym, having fun with her teammates. 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 AED was available in the school, no one could locate the keys to open the unit because no plan was in place.”

“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 of two children and Desha's cousin, I want to assure parents, stalf, and every student that I'm fighting for you if the unthinkable happens in your school,” Baskin added.

The CERP is 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.

Senator Baskin thanked Desha’s mother, Anika Florence-Hall, Jasmine Fleming, Alice Florence, the Sanders family and Thomas Hall for allowing Desha's story to be the catalyst of this vital piece of legislation. She also expressed appreciation to her Assembly bill sponsor, Assembly Deputy Majority Leader as well as Chair of The New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus, Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages for leading the charge on this bill in the Assembly.

Baskin noted, “Thank you to the American Heart Association for their leadership on crafting and advocating for Desha’s Law, and to my Senate colleagues for their support.”

The bill requires Governor Hochul to sign it into law.

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