What's happening
This bill requires that student health certificates include proof of a heart test, such as an electrocardiogram, for school participation.
Why it matters
This bill could help identify students at risk for sudden cardiac events. by requiring proof of a heart test (like an electrocardiogram), which may detect underlying heart conditions that are not found during routine physical exams.
Parents and guardians may face new costs or logistical steps. to obtain an electrocardiogram or similar heart test for their children, potentially raising access and equity concerns, especially for families with limited healthcare access.
Schools and healthcare providers will need to coordinate more closely. to ensure compliance, track test results, and address any findings that could affect a student's participation in physical activities.
The measure could lead to earlier interventions and potentially save lives,. but also raises questions about the potential for false positives, unnecessary anxiety, or over-medicalization of routine school health checks.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Student Heart Screenings
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Print number 3244a
- Amend and recommit to education
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Require Heart Tests in Schools
In Senate Committee · Education · Sponsor Andrew J. Lanza
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3244--A
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 27, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. CUSICK -- read once and referred to the Committee on Education -- recommitted to the Committee on Education in accordance with Assembly Rule 3, sec. 2 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to requiring heart examinations for students
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 903 of the education law, as amended by chapter 376 of the laws of 2015, is amended to read as follows:
1. A health certificate shall be furnished by each student in the public schools upon his or her entrance in such schools and upon his or her entry into the grades prescribed by the commissioner in regulations, provided that such regulations shall require such certificates at least twice during the elementary grades and twice in the secondary grades. An examination and health history of any child may be required by the local school authorities at any time in their discretion to promote the educational interests of such child. Each certificate shall be signed by a duly licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner, who is authorized by law to practice in this state, and consistent with subdivision three of section six thousand nine hundred two of this chapter, or by a duly licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner, who is authorized to practice in the jurisdiction in which the examination was given, provided that the commissioner has determined that such jurisdiction has standards of licensure and practice comparable to those of New York. Each such certificate shall describe the condition of the student when the examination was made, which shall not be more than twelve months prior to the commencement of the school year in which the examination is required, and shall state whether such
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00311-03-8
A. 3244--A 2
student is in a fit condition of health to permit his or her attendance at the public schools. Each such certificate shall also state the student's body mass index (BMI) and weight status category. For purposes of this section, BMI is computed as the weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters or the weight in pounds divided by the square of height in inches multiplied by a conversion factor of 703. Weight status categories for children and adolescents shall be as defined by the commissioner of health. Each such certificate shall also state that the student has undergone a heart test such as an electrocardiogram, and state whether the student is fit to participate in physical education or other physical or athletic activities. In all school districts such physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner shall determine whether a one-time test for sickle cell anemia is necessary or desirable and he or she shall conduct such a test and the certificate shall state the results.
§ 2. Subdivision 1 of section 903 of the education law, as amended by chapter 183 of the laws of 2017, is amended to read as follows:
1. A health certificate shall be furnished by each student in the public schools upon his or her entrance in such schools and upon his or her entry into the grades prescribed by the commissioner in regulations, provided that such regulations shall require such certificates at least twice during the elementary grades and twice in the secondary grades. An examination and health history of any child may be required by the local school authorities at any time in their discretion to promote the educational interests of such child. Each certificate shall be signed by a duly licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner, who is authorized by law to practice in this state, and consistent with subdivision three of section six thousand nine hundred two of this chapter, or by a duly licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner, who is authorized to practice in the jurisdiction in which the examination was given, provided that the commissioner has determined that such jurisdiction has standards of licensure and practice comparable to those of New York. Each such certificate shall describe the condition of the student when the examination was made, which shall not be more than twelve months prior to the commencement of the school year in which the examination is required, and shall state whether such student is in a fit condition of health to permit his or her attendance at the public schools. The examination may include a diabetes risk analysis. Each such certificate shall also state the student's body mass index (BMI) and weight status category. For purposes of this section, BMI is computed as the weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters or the weight in pounds divided by the square of height in inches multiplied by a conversion factor of 703. Weight status categories for children and adolescents shall be as defined by the commissioner of health. Each certificate shall also state that the student has undergone a heart test such as an electrocardiogram, and state whether the student is fit to participate in physical education or other physical or athletic activities. In all school districts such physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner shall determine whether a one-time test for sickle cell anemia is necessary or desirable and he or she shall conduct such a test and the certificate shall state the results.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately; provided that section two of this act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as chapter 183 of the laws of 2017, takes effect.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.