Preparticipation physical evaluation; children's cardiac safety. Prohibits elementary or secondary school students from participating in or trying out for any school athletic team or squad unless such student has submitted a signed report from certain licensed providers attesting the student received a physical examination and was found physically fit for athletic competition in the previous 14 months. Physicians, advanced practice registered nurses, and physician assistants that perform annual physical examinations of students 19 years old or younger shall evaluate the student's family history related to cardiac conditions. The bill requires that such evaluation be in accordance with a preparticipation physical evaluation form developed jointly by the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Sports Medicine, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine and that includes the American Heart Association's 14-point screening for heart disease in youth. The bill requires the Department of Education and the Department of Health to provide guidance for both public and private schools and requires that prior to any student participating in an athletic team or squad, the student must have a physical examination using a preparticipation physical evaluation form. The bill also requires the Department of Education and Department of Health to establish a childhood cardiac screening professional development module to increase the assessment skills of health care providers completing these examinations. The bill requires health care professionals to complete such module prior to performing the preparticipation physical examinations and every four years.

Statutes affected:
SEH Sub: Health Substitute: 22.1-271.7
Education and Health Substitute: 22.1-271.7
Education Substitute: 22.1-271.7