What's happening
This bill requires students to undergo a heart test, such as an electrocardiogram, as part of school health examinations.
Why it matters
Early detection of heart conditions. Requiring a heart test, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG), as part of school health exams could help identify underlying heart issues in students that might otherwise go unnoticed until they cause serious problems, especially during physical activities.
Impact on student participation in physical activities. The bill mandates that health certificates state whether a student is fit for physical education or athletics based on the heart test, which may affect students’ eligibility to participate in school sports or gym classes, potentially preventing medical emergencies.
Increased responsibilities and costs. The requirement places new obligations on families and healthcare providers to ensure students receive heart testing, possibly leading to increased healthcare visits, additional costs, and the need for access to ECG technology.
Broader public health implications. By standardizing heart screenings, the bill could contribute to better data collection on pediatric heart health, inform public health policy, and potentially reduce incidents of sudden cardiac events in schools.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Heart Tests for Schoolkids
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
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.
Require Heart Tests in Schools
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Michael Cusick
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
415
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sen. LANZA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed 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
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00154-01-9
S. 415 2
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.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to requiring heart exam- inations for students
Purpose or general idea of bill
Requires heart examinations for public school students.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 903 of the education law is amended to add that health certificates furnished by each student upon entrance into public schools shall include a statement that the student has undergone a heart test, such as an electrocardiogram. Furthermore, it shall state that the student is fit to participate in physical education or physical athletic activities.
Section 2. Effective date.
Justification
Under current law, a student must submit a health certificate upon entrance to public school. This is required upon his or her entry into the grades prescribed in regulations by the commissioner, which requires such certificates at least twice during the elementary grades and twice in the secondary grades. An examination and health history of any child may also be required by the local school authorities at any time in their discretion to promote the educational interests of such child. Each 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 it shall state whether such student is in a fit condition of health to permit his or her attendance at the public school.
The tragedy of Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) occurs in individuals under 40 years of age more often than most would guess. According to a CNN study, over 400,000 young adults are affected by SCD each year. Requiring students to be screened for heart abnormalities when they go to their doctor for their school physical would show if there are any rhythm disturbances of the heart as well as abnormalities in size, thickness and functions of the left ventricle, aortic valve and aorta. Determining the presence of any of these conditions could result in the saving of a young life. Physical exertion associated with competitive sports and other physical athletic activities exacerbates these conditions and can result in an untimely death of a student.
This legislation would add to the required health certificate, proof that the student has undergone a heart test, such as an electrocardio- gram, which states whether that student is fit to participate in phys- ical education and physical athletic activities. Furthermore, screening the heart for any abnormalities would result in early detection thereby giving that student advanced warning to seek treatment.
Prior legislative history
2018: S.3150-A - Referred to Education / A.3244-A - Referred to Educa- tion 2017: S.3150 - Referred to Education / A. 3244 - Referred to Education 2016: S.3334-A - Referred to Education / A.4826-A - Referred to Educa- tion 2015: S.3334 - Referred to Education / A. 4826 - Referred to Education 2014: S.5748 - Referred to Education / A. 132 - Referred to Education 2013: S.5748 - Referred to Education / A .132 - Referred to Education
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.