Signed by Governor Eric Holcomb

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that requires schools to provide parents with information on EKGs, or electrocardiograms, that often detect heart abnormalities leading to cardiac arrest.

Highlights:

• Requires the Department of Education to do the following, in a manner prescribed by the state Board of Education (Sec. 1.b):

• Ensure a teacher has training in:

• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation that includes a test demonstration on a mannequin;

• Removing a foreign body obstructing an airway;

• The Heimlich maneuver; and

• The use of an automated external defibrillator;

• Ensure a teacher holds a valid certification in each of the procedures issued by:

• The American Red Cross;

• The American Heart Association; or

• A comparable organization or institution approved by the state board; or

• Determine if a teacher has physical limitations that make it impracticable to complete a course or certification.

• Classifies "athletic activity" as the following (Sec. 3):

• An athletic contest or competition conducted between or among schools;

• Competitive and non-competitive cheerleading that is sponsored by or associated with a school;

• Marching band; and

• Other extracurricular competitive or non-competitive activities in which students have an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest as determined by the department in consultation with an organization that specializes in preventing sudden cardiac arrest.

• Classifies the nature and warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest to include the risks associated with continuing to play or practice after experiencing 1 or more symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest to include the following (Sec. 5.a):

• Fainting;

• Difficulty breathing;

• Chest pains;

• Dizziness; and

• Abnormal racing heart rate.

• Prohibits a student who has been removed from practice or play from returning to practice or play until the coach, marching band leader, or other official designated by the applicable student's school entity has done the following (Sec. 8):

• Provided the applicable student's parent with information regarding sudden cardiac arrest; and

• Received verbal permission from a parent or legal guardian of the applicable student-athlete for the applicable student-athlete to return to practice and play.

• Specifies this law applies to the following (Sec. 9.a):

• A head coach or assistant coach who coaches an athletic activity;

• A marching band leader; or

• A leader of an extracurricular activity in which students have an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest activity as determined by the department in consultation with an organization that specializes in the prevention of sudden cardiac arrest.

Full Bill Text