PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 1145, 1265, 1664

PRINTER'S NO. 1844

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE BILL

No.

836

Session of

2019

INTRODUCED BY REGAN, PHILLIPS-HILL, MARTIN, YAW, PITTMAN,

COLLETT, KILLION, TARTAGLIONE, FOLMER, BREWSTER, YUDICHAK,

BARTOLOTTA AND L. WILLIAMS, AUGUST 26, 2019

laws relating thereto," in school health services, providing

for sudden cardiac arrest and electrocardiogram testing; and

making a repeal.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known

as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a

section to read:

Section 1425. Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Electrocardiogram

Testing.--(a) (1) The department and the Department of

including the risks associated with continuing to play or

practice after experiencing one (1) or more symptoms of sudden

cardiac arrest, including fainting, difficulty breathing, chest

pains, dizziness and abnormal racing heart rate.

(ii) Information about electrocardiogram testing, including

the potential risks, benefits and evidentiary basis behind

electrocardiogram testing.

(iii) The option to request, from the family's medical

provider, the administration of an electrocardiogram, in

addition to the comprehensive initial participation physical

examination, at a cost to be incurred by the parent or guardian.

(3) A student participating in or desiring to participate in

an athletic activity and the student's parent or guardian shall,

each school year and prior to participation by the student in an

athletic activity, sign and return to the student's school an

acknowledgment of receipt and review of a sudden cardiac arrest

symptoms and warning signs information sheet that includes

information about electrocardiogram testing developed under this

subsection.

(b) A school entity may hold an informational meeting prior

regarding the symptoms and warning signs of sudden cardiac

and other school officials, informational meetings may include

physicians, pediatric and adult cardiologists and athletic

trainers.

(c) (1) A student who, as determined by a game official,

coach from the student's team, certified athletic trainer,

licensed physician or other official designated by the student's

school entity, exhibits signs or symptoms of sudden cardiac

arrest while participating in an athletic activity shall be

removed by the coach from participation at that time, subject to

clause (3).

(2) If a student is known to have exhibited signs or

participation until the student is evaluated and cleared for

return to participation in writing by a licensed physician,

certified registered nurse practitioner or cardiologist.

(4) In order to help determine whether a student is ready to

return to play, the licensed physician or certified registered

nurse practitioner may consult any other licensed or certified

medical professionals.

(d) (1) Once each school year, a coach of an athletic

activity shall complete the sudden cardiac arrest training

(2) A coach of an athletic activity shall not coach the

(e) The governing body of a school entity shall establish

the following minimum penalties for a coach found in violation

of the requirements under subsection (c), which penalties shall

take effect two (2) years following the effective date of this

section JULY 30, 2014 :

(1) For a first violation, suspension from coaching any

athletic activity for the remainder of the season.

(2) For a second violation, suspension from coaching any

athletic activity for the remainder of the season and for the

next season.

(3) For a third violation, permanent suspension from

bargaining agreement in effect on the effective date of this

section JULY 30, 2012, or any rights provided under the act of

July 23, 1970 (P.L.563, No.195), known as the "Public Employe

Relations Act"; or

(2) create, establish, expand, reduce, contract or eliminate

any civil liability on the part of any school entity or school

employee.

(h) As used in this section--

"Athletic activity" means all of the following:

(2) An athletic contest or competition, other than

sports activities and sports activities sponsored by school-

affiliated organizations.

(3) Noncompetitive cheerleading that is sponsored by or

associated with a school entity.

(4) Practices, interschool practices and scrimmages for all

of the activities listed under clauses (1), (2) and (3).

"Department" means the Department of Health of the

Commonwealth.

"Interscholastic athletics" means as defined in section 1602-

A.

"School entity" means as defined in section 1602-A.

Section 2. Repeals are as follows:

paragraph (2) is necessary to effectuate the addition of

section 1425 of the act.

the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act, is repealed.

Section 3. The addition of section 1425 of the act is a

continuation of the act of May 30, 2012 (P.L.574, No.59), known

as the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act. Except as otherwise

shall remain in full force and effect until revoked, vacated or

modified under section 1425 of the act. Contracts, obligations

and collective bargaining agreements entered into under the

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act are not affected nor

impaired by the repeal of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention

Act.

Section 4. This act shall take effect in 60 days.