BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

S.B. 155

85R2125 SRS-D

By: Hinojosa

 

Education

 

5/17/2017

 

As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Traditional physical examinations, which students undergo before participating in an athletic activity sponsored or sanctioned by the University Interscholastic League, are not sufficient for detecting underlying cardiac abnormalities that can lead to sudden cardiac death.

 

Studies show that sudden cardiac death is a leading cause of death in athletes and that a competitive athlete is at a higher risk for sudden cardiac death than a noncompetitive athlete.

 

As proposed, S.B. 155 amends current law relating to cardiac assessments of participants in extracurricular athletic activities sponsored or sanctioned by the University Interscholastic League.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the University Interscholastic League in SECTION 1 (Section 33.095, Education Code) of this bill.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 33, Education Code, by adding Section 33.095, as follows:

 

Sec. 33.095. CARDIAC ASSESSMENTS OF PARTICIPANTS IN EXTRACURRICULAR ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES. (a) Requires a school district to require a district student who is required under University Interscholastic League (UIL) rule or policy to receive a physical examination before being allowed to participate in an athletic activity sponsored or sanctioned by UIL to also have administered to the student an electrocardiogram before being allowed to participate in the activity or practice a certain number of times dependent on the student's year of participation.

 

(b) Provides that this section does not create a cause of action or liability against certain individuals or a school district for the injury or death of a student participating in or practicing for an athletic activity sponsored or sanctioned by UIL based on, or in connection with the administration or evaluation of or reliance on an electrocardiogram or any echocardiogram.

 

(c) Requires UIL to adopt rules as necessary to administer this section.

 

(d) Requires that the rules adopted include a rule for granting a waiver from administration of an electrocardiogram to a student if, for any reason, the parent of or person standing in parental relation to the student submits a written request for the waiver.

 

SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2018-2019 school year.

 

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2017.