Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. announced recently that both the New York State Senate and Assembly passed anti-terror legislation, which he co-sponsored, to strengthen current laws and provide new protections to all New Yorkers.

"Once this legislation is signed into law, New York will have one of the toughest and most comprehensive anti-terrorism laws in the country," said Fuschillo. "It is vitally important that we remain vigilant and proactive to shield New Yorkers from any and all terrorist threats. I applaud my colleagues in the State Legislature for working together to enact these new protections."

This legislation, agreed upon by the Senate, Assembly, the Governor and the Attorney General, strengthens existing laws by facilitating the investigation and prosecution of terrorists; creates new anti-terrorism crimes; and severely punishes the possession and use of chemical and biological weapons.

Specific provisions of the legislation include:

• Increasing the statute of limitations for terrorism to eight years and if the crime resulted in or created a foreseeable risk of death or serious physical injury there is no statute of limitations;

• Sentencing criminals who commit a class A-1 felony terrorism offense or those convicted of criminal possession or use of a chemical or biological weapon in the first degree to life without the possibility of parole;

• Creating six new felony crimes of criminal possession and criminal use of a chemical or biological weapon;

• Creating four new felony crimes of money laundering in support of terrorism;

• Making it a crime to place a false substance or device that appears to be hazardous;

• Requiring a person convicted of terrorism to submit a DNA sample;

• Directing the Office of Homeland Security to analyze security plans at chemical storage plants;

• Expanding state emergency preparedness programs to include training on responding to biological, chemical or nuclear attacks and;

• Requiring public and private airports to establish security plans in conjunction with plans already required by the federal government; and

• Creating the Statewide Wireless Network Advisory Council.

The legislation will now be delivered to Governor George E. Pataki and will take effect immediately after he signs it.

Senator Fuschillo announced that Governor George E. Pataki approved legislation requiring health clubs with 500 or more members to have at least one automated external defibrillator (AED) readily available on site and have at least one staff member trained to use the AED and perform CPR. Fuschillo, along with Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg (20th Assembly District), introduced the legislation in the State Legislature earlier this year.

"This new law will enhance the safety of the thousands of health club patrons across the state and ensure that no one's health will be at risk because the necessary medical equipment was not immediately available," stated Fuschillo. "I applaud Governor Pataki for signing this important public safety measure into law."

Defibrillators are electrical devices used to counteract fibrillation of the heart muscle and restore normal heartbeat by applying a brief electric shock. Using defibrillators can significantly increase the survival rate of sudden cardiac arrest.

"The American Heart Association is committed to ensuring that AEDs become standard equipment in health clubs in New York State," said Paul Hartman, director of Advocacy for the American Heart Association. "People who may be at the highest risk for suffering sudden cardiac arrest during exercise are increasingly more likely to be working out at the local health club. Over the last 15 years, men and women over the age of 55 and overweight indivduals are joining health clubs at increasing rates. With these trends in mind, it is more important than ever to ensure these facilities are equipped to respond and provide resuscitation in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest."

According to the American Heart Association, a victim's chance of survival decreases by 7-10 percent for every minute that passes without defibrillation. The American Heart Association estimates that 250,000 Americans die each year from sudden cardiac arrest outside of the hospital and that a quarter of these deaths could have been prevented if a defibrillator was available for immediate use.