A new Florida law taking effect Tuesday will mandate that all high school student-athletes take an electrocardiogram (EKG) before they can compete on school sports teams.
The Second Chance Act is the first of its kind – Florida is the first and only state to require high school student-athletes to get at least one EKG.
The test, which is painless and only takes a few minutes to complete, detects heart conditions that can cause sudden cardiac arrest and death.
Although athletes don't need to get tested until the 2026-27 school year, results taken any time in the two years before the fall 2026 deadline will be accepted.
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School districts are mandated under the new law to provide low-cost EKGs to all student-athletes in Grades 9-12, and families can opt out for religious or medical reasons or if their school does not provide an EKG at $50 or less.
The Florida High School Athletic Association has until the 2028-29 school year to develop bylaws or policies that prohibit a student-athlete who gets an abnormal EKG result from participating in tryouts, practice or competition.
Students will be able to participate in athletics if and when a doctor clears them to participate.
Other laws taking effect Tuesday that are aimed at protecting student health in Florida include:
- SB 112: This law expands early detection and intervention programs for students with autism, and mandates free autism testing in the state.
- SB 772: This law requires schools to have glucagon on hand to respond to and reverse diabetic shock in students.
- SB 430: This law requires schools to have automated external defibrillators (AEDs) on campus to respond to and restart a student's heart after sudden cardiac arrest.
- SB 958: This law requires schools and early learning coalitions to develop and provide informational material to families about the early detection and treatment of Type 1 diabetes
- SB 1514: This law mandates that schools train personnel to respond to a student's severe allergic reaction. Schools must also have an action plan to respond to a severe allergic reaction.
- SB 1620: The Department of Education will begin to assess the feasibility of using telehealth in rural and underserved schools to meet students' mental health needs.