Establishes the "Dominic Murray sudden cardiac arrest prevention act"

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law and the public health law, in relation to directing the commissioners of education and health to establish rules and regulations for the treatment and monitoring of students of school districts, boards of cooperative educational services and nonpublic schools who exhibit signs or symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest

Purpose

This legislation would establish the Dominic Murray sudden cardiac arrest prevention act.

Summary of provisions

Section 2 of this bill amends Section 305 of the education law by adding subdivision 55 to direct the Commissioners of health and education to collaborate and review as necessary, rules and regulations relating to pupils who exhibit signs or symptoms of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) while receiving instruction or engaging in school related activities. The commissioner shall consider comments from stakeholders and other interested parties including but not limited to parents, teachers, students, school administrators, school athletic trainers, sport coaches, medical and health professionals, the public schools athletic league (PSAL), the NYS public high school athletic association (NYSPHSAA), and other athletic associations in requiring a course of instruction relating to recognizing pupils who exhibit signs and symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest, as well as seeking proper medical treatment for such pupils. Such instruction shall be required to be completed on a biennial basis by all school coaches, physical education teachers, nurses, and athletic trainers.

Section 3 amends Section 206 of the public health law by adding subdivision 30 which specifies the commissioner of health in assisting the commissioner of education in developing said rules and regulations relating to pupil's exhibiting SCA symptoms and provide for the posting on the department's official website of such SCA information.

Section 4 specifies this act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the date on which it shall have become law, provided that, effective immediately, any rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be completed on or before such date.

Justification

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is the leading cause of death among school athletes. It can happen at anytime, anywhere without warning. On October 5th, 2009, just weeks into his freshman year, 17 year old Dominic Murray suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and collapsed on the basketball court at Farmingdale State College. In the middle of a routine layup Dominic's heart stopped suddenly. His symptoms went unrecognized by all around him. Every minute counts to save someone in sudden cardiac arrest. What happened to Dominic and many other young athletes can be prevented by informing and educating our coaches, pupils, and parents.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the date on which it shall have become law, provided that, effective immediately, any rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be completed on or before such date.