84R2272 JSL-D
By: Huberty H.B. No. 779
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to cardiac assessments of participants in extracurricular
athletic activities sponsored or sanctioned by the University
Interscholastic League.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 33, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 33.095 to read as follows:
Sec. 33.095. CARDIAC ASSESSMENTS OF PARTICIPANTS IN
EXTRACURRICULAR ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES. (a) Except as provided under
Subsection (d), a school district must require a district student
who is required under University Interscholastic League rule or
policy to receive a physical examination before being allowed to
participate in an athletic activity sponsored or sanctioned by the
University Interscholastic League to also have administered to the
student an electrocardiogram before being allowed to participate in
the activity, including a practice for the activity, as follows:
(1) one time before the student's first year of
participation; and
(2) another time before the student's third year of
participation.
(b) This section does not create a cause of action or
liability against an appropriately licensed or certified health
care professional, a school district, or a district officer or
employee for the injury or death of a student participating in or
practicing for an athletic activity sponsored or sanctioned by the
University Interscholastic League based on or in connection with
the administration or evaluation of or reliance on an
electrocardiogram or on any echocardiogram.
(c) The University Interscholastic League shall adopt rules
as necessary to administer this section.
(d) The rules adopted under Subsection (c) must include a
rule for granting a waiver from administration of an
electrocardiogram under this section to a student in response to a
written request from the parent of or person standing in parental
relation to the student claiming a financial or religious reason
for the waiver.
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2015-2016
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, 2015.