What's happening
This bill requires students to have a heart test, such as an electrocardiogram, as part of their school health examination.
Why it matters
Could help identify heart conditions early in children. By requiring heart tests such as electrocardiograms (ECGs) as part of school health exams, the bill aims to catch potentially serious or even life-threatening heart issues in students that might otherwise go unnoticed until a problem occurs.
May affect student participation in physical activities. The results of the heart test will determine whether a student is deemed fit to participate in physical education or athletic activities, which could impact students' ability to join sports or certain classes if an issue is detected.
Could increase the role—and possibly the workload—of healthcare providers and schools. Physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners will be responsible for administering or confirming heart tests and making fitness determinations, potentially requiring additional resources, training, and coordination with families.
Raises questions about costs, access, and privacy. Implementing mandatory heart testing in schools may pose challenges related to funding for tests, ensuring all students have access regardless of socioeconomic status, and managing sensitive health data responsibly.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Heart Tests in Schools
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- 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.
Heart Tests for Schoolkids
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
4455
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 4, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. CUSICK -- read once and referred to the Committee on Education
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 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.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00154-01-9
A. 4455 2
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.