2017 -- S 0021 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - CARDIAC ARREST PREVENTION IN SCHOOL SPORTS

     Introduced By: Senator Walter S. Felag

     Date Introduced: January 18, 2017

     Referred To: Senate Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 16 of the General Laws entitled "EDUCATION" is hereby amended

by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 91.1

THE SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST PREVENTION ACT

     16-91.1-1. Short title.

     This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act".

     16-91.1-2. Definitions.

     For the purposes of this chapter, the term "youth sport program or activity" means any

program organized for recreational and/or athletic competition purposes by any school district, or

by any school participating in Rhode Island Interscholastic League competition, and whose

participants are nineteen (19) years of age or younger.

     16-91.1-3. School districts' guidelines to be developed and implemented.

     (a) The department of education and the department of health shall promulgate guidelines

to inform and educate coaches, teachers, school nurses, youth athletes, and their parents and/or

guardians about the nature and warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest, including the risks

associated with continuing to play or practice after experiencing the following symptoms: fainting

or seizures during exercise, unexplained shortness of breath, chest pains, dizziness, racing heart

rate and extreme fatigue.

     (b) School districts may use training materials made available at no cost to the school

district by organizations such as Simon's Fund, Parent Heart Watch, Sudden Arrhythmia Death

Syndromes Foundation, or training materials substantively and substantially similar thereto. The

department of education shall post links to training materials on its website. All coaches and

volunteers involved in a youth sport program or activity covered by this chapter must complete a

training course which may be completed online about the nature and warning signs of sudden

cardiac arrest, including the risks associated with continuing to play or practice after experiencing

symptoms including, fainting or seizures during exercise, unexplained shortness of breath, chest

pains, dizziness, racing heart rate and extreme fatigue. Training may consist of videos, classes,

and any other generally accepted mode and medium of providing information.

     (c) Parents and/or guardians shall be provided with information as to the nature and

warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest prior to the start of every sport season and they shall sign

an acknowledgement as to their receipt of such information.

     (d)(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 subsection (3) of

this section.

     (2) If a student is known to have exhibited signs or symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest at

any time prior to or following an athletic activity, the student shall be prevented from

participating in an athletic activity, subject to subsection (3) of this section.

     (3) A student removed or prevented from participating in an athletic activity under

subsections (1) or (2) of this section shall not return to participation until the student is evaluated

and cleared for return to participation in writing by a licensed physician, certified registered nurse

practitioner or cardiologist.

     (e) All school districts are encouraged to have an athletic trainer, or similarly trained

person, at all recreational and athletic events addressed by this statute.

     16-91.1-4. All other youth sports program.

     All other youth sports programs not specifically addressed by this chapter are encouraged

to follow the guidance set forth in this chapter for all program participants who are age nineteen

(19) and younger.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - CARDIAC ARREST PREVENTION IN SCHOOL SPORTS

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     This act would address the potential for sudden cardiac arrest among student athletes by

raising awareness of the symptoms, requiring training for coaches and volunteers concerning

cardiac arrest, and establishing protocols for students exhibiting certain symptoms.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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