16 Years Later This New Jersey Family Wants Action

Sixteen years have passed since tragedy struck South Jersey Youth Sports when Dennis Township teenager Michael Fisher suddenly collapsed. The Cape May County Tech Honor Roll Student had a congenital heart defect known as subaortic stenosis, and his death was actually avoidable if an automated external defibrillator (AED) was on hand when Michael Fisher collapsed.

While it may seem like common sense to the average observer, AEDs are not always on hand at different youth sporting events, even when people who are First Aid Certified are present. You can go to local gyms, recreation facilities, and travel sporting events where you will not find lifesaving tools like AEDs are unavailable, or they are out of date with expired batteries or pads.

This is why Michael Fisher's family has been advocating for standardized cardiac response protocols at all Youth Sporting Events, along with parks, recreation facilities, and Large Public venues. But Janet's Law (originally signed into law in 2012) only required New Jersey schools to have up-to-date UEDs on site, but no universal protcols for outside of schools.

South Jersey Assemblyman Calling On NJ Residents for help with Michael Fisher's Law

New Jersey Legislative Bill A1451/S514 is still sitting in the Children, Families and Food Security Committee, and has not been sent to the Assembly floor for a vote. Even though "Michael Fisher's Law" has seven Republican and five Democrat Legislators as sponsors of the bill, it has not been able to escape committee, even with bipartisan support.

One of the Primary Sponsors, Assemblyman Erik Simonsen (District 1 - R), is asking for New Jersey residents' help. Committee Chair Assemblywoman Shama Haider (D37 - D) has not released "Michael Fisher's Law" legislation to be available for a vote in the Assembly, even though both Republicans and Democrats support the bill.

"Every parent who drops their child off at a practice or game expects that reasonable safety measures are in place," Assemblyman Simonsen said in a press release. "Michael's story reminds us that cardiac emergencies can happen without warning, even to young athletes. We cannot prevent every tragedy, but we can ensure that coaches, volunteers, and first responders have the tools they need to save lives."

I reached out to Michael Fisher's family, and Tina LaRosa to give a statement about why it has taken so many years to get this legislation to become New Jersey law:

"The biggest obstacle has been the lobbyists (representing) the Recreation departments. The primary reason (then-governor) Chris Christie vetoed the original legislation was because the (League of Municipalities) lobbists said the cost to purchase and maintain sufficient AEDs was deemed to be too expensive. Still today, 12 years later, we still hear people say Associations won’t be able to afford the cost."

The initial cost of purchasing a new AED unit is between $1,2000-$2,400, and maintenance costs range between $90-$300 per year. Assemblyman Simonsen says people need to treat AEDs with the same level of importance as fire extinguishers:

"We require fire extinguishers because we understand the importance of being prepared for emergencies. - AEDs should be viewed the same way. They are a proven, lifesaving tool that can mean the difference between tragedy and survival when every second counts."

Michael Fisher's family believes Assemblywoman Haider, the Children, Families and Food Security Committee Chair, should not have to be urged by New Jersey voters to move the legislation out of committee for an assembly vote:

"While the sponsors of the bill have taken it seriously enough to reintroduce the bill, there doesn’t seem to be any sense of urgency (from Committee) leadership to force even a vote, let alone bring it to the Assembly floor for a full vote....(Assemblywoman Haider's) own district had a young man in Teaneck who had a sudden cardiac event (while) playing basketball at the high school. Because Janet’s Law already requires schools to have AEDs, (the young man) survived. Had he been playing at the local park or rec center, there wouldn’t have been AEDs there, and he probably wouldn’t have survived. This alone should spur Haider to bring the vote up for vote on first day the Assembly reconvenes next month."

The family of Michael Fisher, for whom the new legislation is written in honor of, have reached out to Assemblywoman Haider. But the Committee Chairwoman's office told them in the spring that the bills would not be brought up for a vote before the summer, and the family feels like there is no urgency by the Committee Chairwoman or pressure from voters to get this bill moved to the Assembly floor for a vote:

"From our prior experience, I believe it’s the same story as before, (that) no one wants to pay for (AEDs at Recreation Centers, Youth Sports Events, etc). We raised funding through our foundation and donated 4 AEDs locally to Dennis Township hockey, Middle Township Hockey, Lower Township athletic association, and the Atlantic City Rescue mission. We are urging everyone to call Haider's office to post A1451 for vote (this fall)."

Primary Legislation Sponsor Assemblyman Simonsen is also asking people to contact Haider's office to ask that A1451 is posted for a full vote this fall. If people do not want to call, there is a contact forum where people can reach out the the Committee Chairwoman as well.