Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

0315.02000
     Sixty-ninth
     Legislative Assembly                      SENATE BILL NO. 2099
     of North Dakota
     Introduced by
       Senators Mathern, Barta, Wanzek
       Representatives Holle, Meier
  A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 15.1-18.2 of the North Dakota
  Century Code, relating to cardiac arrest prevention and education for student athletes and
  coaches.
  BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTH DAKOTA:
      SECTION 1. A new section to chapter 15.1-18.2 of the North Dakota Century Code is
  created and enacted as follows:
      Student athletics - Cardiac arrest prevention - Requirements.
      1.     As used in this section:
             a.   "Athletic activity" means:
                 (1)   Interscholastic athletics.
                 (2)   An athletic contest or competition, other than interscholastic athletics,
                       sponsored by or associated with a school district or nonpublic school,
                       including competitive and noncompetitive cheerleading, and any sports
                       activity sponsored by a student-run club.
                 (3)   A practice for an activity under paragraph 1 or 2, including interscholastic
                       practice or scrimmage.
            b.   "Coach" means an individual responsible for providing training to or supervision
                 of a student participating in an athletic activity under subdivision a. The term
                 includes an athletic director and athletic trainer when so designated by the
                 principal of the school or nonpublic school.
     2.     The superintendent of public instruction, after consultation with experts in cardiac
            arrest prevention, including health professionals, shall develop and make available on
            the department of public instruction's website:
                                                  Page No. 1                        25.0315.02000
     Sixty-ninth
     Legislative Assembly
           a.   An information sheet describing cardiac arrest symptoms and warning signs,
                including the risks associated with continuing to play or practice after
                experiencing any of the following symptoms:
                (1)   Unexplained shortness of breath.
                (2)   Fainting or seizures during practice.
                (3)   Chest pains.
                (4)   Dizziness.
                (5)   Racing heart rate.
                (6)   Extreme fatigue.
          b.   A form verifying review of the information sheet, which requires the signature of a
               student and the student's parent or legal guardian.
          c.   A list of informational resources, including videos and other materials provided by
               an expert in cardiac arrest prevention.
     3.   Each school year, before:
          a.   A student may participate in an athletic activity, the student and the student's
               parent or legal guardian shall sign and return to the student's school or nonpublic
               school a copy of the verification form.
          b.   The athletic activity season begins:
               (1)   A principal of a school or nonpublic school shall inform each coach of the
                     coach's duties under this section.
               (2)   A coach shall:
                     (a)   Complete a cardiac arrest training course approved by the
                           superintendent of public instruction. The training must be provided in
                           correlation with any required cardiopulmonary resuscitation or
                           automated external defibrillators training.
                     (b)   Hold an informational meeting before each athletic season regarding
                           the symptoms and warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest, which may
                           include presentations from physicians, pediatric cardiologists, and
                           athletic trainers and resources provided under subdivision c of
                           subsection 2.
                                               Page No. 2                        25.0315.02000
     Sixty-ninth
     Legislative Assembly
      4.   If a coach reasonably believes a student is exhibiting symptoms or warning signs of
           sudden cardiac arrest, the coach may remove the student from participation in an
           athletic activity. If the student is removed from the athletic activity, the coach shall
           attempt to notify the student's parent or legal guardian.
      5.   A student who is removed from participation in an athletic activity under subsection 4
           may not participate in an athletic activity until the student has been evaluated by and
           received written clearance from a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse
           practitioner.
      6.   The sponsor of a recreational youth athletic activity may follow the guidelines provided
          under this section.
                                               Page No. 3                           25.0315.02000