If enacted, H2281 will amend Chapter 111 of the General Laws, expanding the existing regulations regarding student health to include requirements that athletic programs must follow. Schools will be mandated to provide informational resources annually to students and require acknowledgments of receipt from students and their guardians prior to participation in athletic activities. The bill seeks to ensure that all stakeholders, such as parents, coaches, and students, are adequately informed about potential heart issues and the appropriate responses in emergencies.
Summary
House Bill 2281, titled 'An Act Relative to Student Heart Health', aims to enhance student safety in athletic activities by implementing guidelines that inform and educate students about heart disease symptoms and sudden cardiac distress. The bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to collaborate with the Department of Education to develop educational materials regarding heart health symptoms and warning signs. This initiative reflects growing awareness of cardiac issues in young athletes and seeks to mitigate risks associated with sports-related cardiac incidents.
Contention
A notable aspect of H2281 is its provision for the removal of students from play should they exhibit symptoms indicative of potential cardiac issues, such as losing consciousness or displaying significant distress during athletic events. The bill also emphasizes the need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training to be a graduation requirement, providing additional assurance that students and staff are prepared to act in emergencies. While the bill has garnered support for prioritizing student health and safety, discussions may arise regarding the resource allocation for implementing these requirements and potential liabilities for schools and volunteers involved.
Relating to prevention of and safety requirements regarding sudden cardiac arrest affecting public school students participating in interscholastic athletics.
Relating to public K-12 sports; to create the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act; to require the State Board of Education to adopt certain guidelines and information sheets regarding sudden cardiac arrest and distribute those information sheets to students, parents, and coaches; to require coaches to undergo certain training related to sudden cardiac arrest and to remove students who exhibit symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest from play; to require students and parents to acknowledge consent of certain informational materials related to sudden cardiac arrest; to establish certain penalties for coaches and to protect a coach from certain liability related to sudden cardiac arrest.
Relating to prevention of and safety requirements regarding sudden cardiac arrest affecting public school students participating in interscholastic athletics.
Relating to prevention of and safety requirements regarding sudden cardiac arrest affecting public school students participating in interscholastic athletics.
Alters a PA’s continuing education requirements, ability to provide charitable care, and authority to clear students to return to sports after health-concern related removal and protect PA’s from certain restrictive covenants.