83R6150 VOO-D
By: Deuell S.B. No. 379
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to information for prevention of sudden cardiac arrest
affecting public school students participating in interscholastic
athletics.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 38, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 38.0182 to read as follows:
Sec. 38.0182. INFORMATION FOR PREVENTION OF SUDDEN CARDIAC
ARREST AFFECTING STUDENT ATHLETES. (a) In this section, "parent"
includes a guardian or other person with legal authority to make
medical decisions for a student.
(b) This section applies to an interscholastic athletic
activity, including practice and competition, sponsored or
sanctioned by:
(1) a school district, including a home-rule school
district, or a public school, including any school for which a
charter has been granted under Chapter 12; or
(2) the University Interscholastic League.
(c) The agency and the Department of State Health Services
jointly shall develop guidelines and other relevant materials, in
accordance with this section, to educate students, parents, and
coaches, including assistant coaches, regarding sudden cardiac
arrest, including:
(1) warning signs and symptoms, including:
(A) fainting;
(B) difficulty breathing;
(C) chest pains;
(D) dizziness; and
(E) abnormal racing heart rate; and
(2) risks associated with continuing athletic
activity after experiencing a warning sign or symptom of sudden
cardiac arrest.
(d) In developing the guidelines and other materials under
Subsection (c), the agency and the Department of State Health
Services may use existing materials developed by an organization
with recognized expertise regarding sudden cardiac arrest.
(e) The agency and the Department of State Health Services
each shall post on the applicable agency's Internet website the
guidelines and other materials developed under Subsection (c).
(f) A student may not participate in an interscholastic
athletic activity for a school year until both the student and the
student's parent have signed a form for that school year that
acknowledges receiving and reading written information that:
(1) explains sudden cardiac arrest warning signs and
symptoms; and
(2) is consistent with the information in the
materials developed under Subsection (c).
(g) The form required under Subsection (f) must be approved
by the University Interscholastic League.
SECTION 2. Section 38.0182, Education Code, as added by
this Act, applies beginning with the 2013-2014 school year.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2013.