83R6150 VOO-D
 
  By: Deuell S.B. No. 379
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to information for prevention of sudden cardiac arrest
  affecting public school students participating in interscholastic
  athletics.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 38, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 38.0182 to read as follows:
         Sec. 38.0182.  INFORMATION FOR PREVENTION OF SUDDEN CARDIAC
  ARREST AFFECTING STUDENT ATHLETES.  (a)  In this section, "parent"
  includes a guardian or other person with legal authority to make
  medical decisions for a student.
         (b)  This section applies to an interscholastic athletic
  activity, including practice and competition, sponsored or
  sanctioned by:
               (1)  a school district, including a home-rule school
  district, or a public school, including any school for which a
  charter has been granted under Chapter 12; or
               (2)  the University Interscholastic League.
         (c)  The agency and the Department of State Health Services
  jointly shall develop guidelines and other relevant materials, in
  accordance with this section, to educate students, parents, and
  coaches, including assistant coaches, regarding sudden cardiac
  arrest, including:
               (1)  warning signs and symptoms, including:
                     (A)  fainting;
                     (B)  difficulty breathing;
                     (C)  chest pains;
                     (D)  dizziness; and
                     (E)  abnormal racing heart rate; and
               (2)  risks associated with continuing athletic
  activity after experiencing a warning sign or symptom of sudden
  cardiac arrest.
         (d)  In developing the guidelines and other materials under
  Subsection (c), the agency and the Department of State Health
  Services may use existing materials developed by an organization
  with recognized expertise regarding sudden cardiac arrest.
         (e)  The agency and the Department of State Health Services
  each shall post on the applicable agency's Internet website the
  guidelines and other materials developed under Subsection (c).
         (f)  A student may not participate in an interscholastic
  athletic activity for a school year until both the student and the
  student's parent have signed a form for that school year that
  acknowledges receiving and reading written information that:
               (1)  explains sudden cardiac arrest warning signs and
  symptoms; and
               (2)  is consistent with the information in the
  materials developed under Subsection (c).
         (g)  The form required under Subsection (f) must be approved
  by the University Interscholastic League.
         SECTION 2.  Section 38.0182, Education Code, as added by
  this Act, applies beginning with the 2013-2014 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, 2013.