The proposed legislation, titled "The Children's Cardiac Safety Act," establishes a new chapter in the General Laws of Education focused on enhancing cardiac health screenings for children aged nineteen and younger. The act mandates that registered, licensed, and certified healthcare professionals conducting annual physical examinations for children include specific questions related to family history of cardiac conditions, as outlined in the "preparticipation physical evaluation" form developed by various medical organizations.

The act requires that prior to participation in school or community organization-sponsored interscholastic or intramural athletic teams, students must undergo a preparticipation physical evaluation that includes a comprehensive assessment of cardiovascular health. This evaluation must be conducted within six weeks prior to the first day of official practice and must be documented on a standardized form.

Additionally, the act establishes a childhood cardiac screening professional development module to improve the assessment skills of healthcare practitioners performing well-child physical examinations and screenings. This module will be developed or adopted by the state departments of elementary and secondary education and health, in consultation with relevant medical organizations.

The act also mandates the creation of an informational pamphlet about sudden cardiac arrest, which will be distributed to parents and guardians of students participating in school sports. This pamphlet will provide information on the incidence of sudden cardiac arrest, early warning signs, and available screening options.

Furthermore, the act outlines the collaborative responsibilities of the departments of education and health to develop guidelines and regulations for implementing these provisions. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and aims to support and expand upon existing laws related to cardiac health in youth.