84R2272 JSL-D By: Hinojosa S.B. No. 602 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.