BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	C.S.S.B. 155
85R31133 SRS-D	By: Hinojosa
	Education
	5/22/2017
	Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

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. (Original Author's / Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

 

C.S.S.B. 155 amends current law relating to requirements for participants in extracurricular athletic activities sponsored or sanctioned by the University Interscholastic League, including a sudden cardiac arrest awareness form.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

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

 

Sec. 33.095. DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR PARTICIPANTS IN EXTRACURRICULAR ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES. (a) Requires the University Interscholastic League (UIL) to create an informational sudden cardiac arrest awareness form (form) for school districts (districts) to provide to a parent of or person standing in parental relation to a student who wants to participate in an athletic activity sponsored or sanctioned by UIL. Requires that the form include information relating to sudden cardiac arrest, including:

 

(1) a description of a sudden cardiac arrest;

 

(2) the causes of a sudden cardiac arrest;

 

(3) the symptoms and warning signs of a sudden cardiac arrest;

 

(4) the treatments for a sudden cardiac arrest; and

 

(5) options for screening for sudden cardiac arrest that may be discussed with the student�s physician.

 

(b) Prohibits a district, if a student is required under UIL rule or policy to receive a physical examination before being allowed to participate in an athletic activity sponsored or sanctioned by UIL, from allowing a district student to participate in the activity unless the student provides documentation of the physical examination and the form described by Subsection (a) signed by the parent of or person standing in parental relation to the student.

 

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

 

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