SB 2099 — Summary (North Dakota): Cardiac Arrest Prevention and Education for Student Athletes and Coaches
Status: Introduced March 7, 2025. Second reading — failed to pass (yeas 14, nays 33). Companion bill: HB 2952.
Purpose
- To add a new section to chapter 15.1‑18.2 of the North Dakota Century Code requiring cardiac arrest prevention education, pre‑season information, and coach training for school-sponsored student athletic activities, and to set basic removal and return‑to‑play rules when sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is suspected.
Key definitions
- “Athletic activity”: interscholastic athletics; school‑sponsored athletic contests/competitions (including competitive/noncompetitive cheerleading and student‑run club sports); and related practices or scrimmages.
- “Coach”: any individual responsible for training or supervising a student in an athletic activity. This explicitly includes an athletic director or athletic trainer when designated by the principal.
Main provisions
- Department materials: The Superintendent of Public Instruction, after consulting cardiac‑arrest experts (e.g., health professionals), must develop and post on the department website:
- An information sheet describing SCA symptoms/warning signs and risks of continuing to play after symptoms. Listed symptoms include unexplained shortness of breath, fainting or seizures during practice, chest pains, dizziness, racing heart rate, and extreme fatigue.
- A parent/student verification form requiring signatures confirming review of the information.
- A list of informational resources (videos and materials) from SCA experts.
- Annual pre‑season requirements:
- Each school year, before a student may participate, the student and a parent/guardian must sign and return the verification form.
- Principals must notify coaches of their duties under this law.
- Coaches must complete a cardiac arrest training course approved by the Superintendent; this training must be coordinated with any required CPR/AED training.
- Coaches must hold an informational meeting before each season on SCA symptoms and warning signs; presentations may include physicians, pediatric cardiologists, or athletic trainers and may use the Department’s resources.
- Removal and return‑to‑play:
- If a coach reasonably believes a student is showing SCA symptoms, the coach may remove the student from participation and must attempt to notify the parent/guardian.
- A removed student cannot return to participation until evaluated and cleared in writing by a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner.
- Applicability to recreational programs: Sponsors of recreational youth athletics may elect to follow the statute’s guidelines.
Who is affected
- Students participating in school‑sponsored athletic activities and their parents/guardians.
- Coaches, athletic directors, athletic trainers, school principals, and school administrators (public and nonpublic).
- School districts and nonpublic schools (responsible for implementing verification, meetings, and ensuring coach training).
- Potentially youth recreational program sponsors that choose to adopt the guidelines.
Implementation & impact considerations
- Administrative actions: development and publication of materials by the Department of Public Instruction; recordkeeping for signed verification forms; scheduling pre‑season meetings.
- Training: schools must ensure coaches receive approved cardiac arrest training (possible costs/time for training and CPR/AED coordination).
- Health/safety: intended to increase early recognition of SCA warning signs, reduce risk of on‑field cardiac events, and ensure medical clearance before return to play.
- Legal/liability: formalized removal and clearance rules may affect school and coach liability and medical‑clearance procedures.
- No specific funding or penalties are attached in the text; costs would likely fall to schools/districts or be absorbed within existing training budgets.
Legislative notes
- Bill sought to enact a new NDCC section (chapter 15.1‑18.2). Despite passage efforts, the measure failed on second reading (yea/nay recorded above). A companion House bill (HB 2952) is noted.
