ALBANY — State lawmakers have joined with health advocates from around the state to push for the passage of a bill that would require CPR training for students in high school.

The measure, called the “CPR in Schools” bill, is sponsored by Sen. James Alesi, R-Perinton, Monroe County, and Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg, D-Nassau County, and would require high school students to be trained in hands-only CPR. The bill would not require certification, but would give students basic skills to act in case of an emergency situation, advocates said. The bill has faced criticism as being an unfunded mandate, but lawmakers said the measure would save lives.

At a news conference Wednesday, families of people who have died from cardiac arrest were on hand to stress the importance of the measure, which is being sponsored by 30 senators and 50 assemblymen.

“I want my story to be the norm, not the unusual,” said Kaitlin Forbes, 22, of Rhinebeck, whose life was saved in 2005 by the application of CPR when she suffered cardiac arrest playing softball.

The bill is in the Education Committee in both houses.