Politics & Government

New Law Protects Student Athletes

State Sen. Wayne Fontana discusses the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act and how it protects student athletes.

Every year, sudden cardiac arrest is responsible for approximately 7,000 deaths in young people nationwide. This leading killer happens when the heart’s electrical system malfunctions and the heart stops working properly due to abnormal irregular heart rhythms. Symptoms include fainting, shortness of breath, chest pains, dizziness and a racing heart beat. Cardiac arrest can be reversed with Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and/or a defibrillation but getting to the victim quickly is vital. Cardiac arrest should not be confused with a heart attack which is caused by blockage that stops blood flow to the heart. However, a heart attack can lead to cardiac arrest and sudden death.

On May 30, Gov. Corbett signed into law the “Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act,” also known as Act 59 of 2012 (originally House Bill 1610). This new law makes Pennsylvania the first state in the country to enact legislation that will protect student athletes from the potentially fatal condition.

Sports and physical exercise are promoted throughout school districts statewide. The message that is often sent to kids during these activities is that they need to play through pain and fatigue in order to become the best. However, sudden cardiac arrest usually occurs with exercising in young adults and children. Act 59 will ensure that individuals who are involved in school sports are properly educated about the signs and symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest and appropriate measures take place. Physical activities should not have to be what essentially triggers death.

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Specifically, under this new law, coaches, parents and students will be required to take online training, available at the Pennsylvania Department of Health's website, about the signs and symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest prior to participating in a Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) activity.  Act 59 defines an athletic activity as interscholastic athletics; club-sponsored sports, including cheerleading and other sports activities that are school-affiliated; non-competitive cheerleading that is sponsored by or associated with a school entity; and all practices, interschool practices and scrimmages for all of these activities. 

A school may also hold an informational meeting prior to the start of each athletic season to brief students, parents, coaches and other school officials about sudden cardiac arrest. Prior to participation in a sport, every athlete must sign annually and return to their school an acknowledgement of receipt and review of the sudden cardiac arrest symptoms information sheet. Coaches will also complete a sudden cardiac arrest training course offered by a provider approved by the Department of Health each year and not be eligible to coach until completion of the training.

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The new law also requires that a student athlete who exhibits any signs or symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest while participating in an athletic event, as determined by a game official, coach, certified athletic trainer, licensed physician or other official, must be removed from playing in the activity. If the student athlete has a history of these symptoms at any time prior to or following an athletic activity, the student cannot return to participation. An athlete removed from playing may only participate in an athletic activity once they are evaluated and cleared for return in writing by a licensed physician or certified registered nurse.

The law will take effect in 60 days which is around the start of practice for many high school football teams.

I voted in favor of this legislation because I feel that this act will raise awareness about the warning signs and symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest. This bill will also help ensure that the appropriate steps are taken in hopes that it will reduce the number of individuals who may become a victim to this condition and possibly prevent families from losing a loved one way too soon.

 

Senator Wayne D. Fontana

42nd Senatorial District

www.senatorfontana.com


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