HB 1178 Summary

• Department of Education must disseminate guidelines, information sheets, and forms to schools by July 1, 2014 to educate coaches, student athletes, and parents about sudden cardiac arrest risks.

• Student athletes and their parents must receive information about sudden cardiac arrest and sign an acknowledgment form before beginning practice each year, with coaches maintaining files of completed forms.

• Student athletes suspected of experiencing sudden cardiac arrest symptoms (fainting, difficulty breathing, chest pain, dizziness, racing heart) must be immediately removed from play and cannot return without written clearance from a licensed health care provider trained in sudden cardiac arrest evaluation.

• Licensed health care providers who volunteer to evaluate student athletes for sudden cardiac arrest have immunity from civil liability except for gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.

• Effective July 1, 2013.