January 10, 2008­–LITTLE ROCK–State Senator Tracy Steele is proposing that every high school in Arkansas have automated external defibrillators (AEDs) available at school activities.

Steele made the proposal to the Joint Committees on Public Health, Welfare and Labor, the first step in the legislative process toward enacting a law that would require the defibrillators.

Steele says the plan could possibly save the lives of young people at sporting events and other school activities.

The proposal is in response to the death of Anthony Hobbs of Little Rock, a 17-year-old basketball player for Parkview High School. Hobbs collapsed during a game on January 2.

Hobbs was rushed to Baptist Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. Initial autopsy results showed abnormalities in the heart.