2023 -- H 5670

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LC002004

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST PREVENTION ACT

     Introduced By: Representative Joseph J. Solomon

     Date Introduced: February 17, 2023

     Referred To: House Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 16-91.1-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-91.1 entitled "The

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     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 that 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.

     (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 (d)(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 (d)(3) of this section.

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

subsections (d)(1) or (d)(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 required to have an athletic trainer, or similarly

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

     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 -- THE SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST PREVENTION ACT

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     This act would require all school districts to have an athletic trainer, or similarly trained

person, at all recreational and athletic events of the school district.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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