WeVote
Log In

Bill

WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1846

Summary of HB 1846 (Sudden Cardiac Arrest Screening Act)

Purpose and intent

HB 1846 proposes a statewide framework to educate student athletes, parents, and coaches about sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and to implement standardized cardiovascular prescreening for student athletes beginning with the 2027-28 school year. The act aims to detect potential cardiovascular conditions that could lead to SCA and to require reporting, training, and ongoing professional education related to cardiovascular risk assessment.

Key provisions and changes

  • Definitions

    • Expands the scope of “athletic activity” to include interscholastic athletics, school-sponsored clubs, cheerleading, and related practices or scrimmages.
    • Establishes terms for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), MSHSAA, and “qualified medical professional” (licensed physicians, PAs, NPs, certified athletic trainers, or cardiologists).

  • Educational materials and acknowledgment (starting 2027-28)

    • DESE, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and MSHSAA, must distribute evidence-based educational materials about SCA, its warning signs, and risks of continuing activity after symptoms.
    • Each student athlete and their parent/guardian must sign an acknowledgment form confirming receipt and review of these materials. The acknowledgment is renewed at the start of each school year and stored in the school’s online eligibility system.
    • Materials must be posted on each entity’s public website.

  • Cardiac arrest training for coaches (starting 2027-28)

    • Every coach must complete a cardiac arrest training course approved by the local school board and aligned with CPR/AED-related training requirements.

  • Cardiovascular prescreening (starting 2027-28)

    • Qualified medical professionals conducting athletic physicals must include a cardiovascular prescreen focusing on personal history, family history, and a focused physical examination to identify potential cardiovascular disease.
    • Key elements include personal history (e.g., elevated blood pressure, exertional symptoms), family history (e.g., cardiomyopathies, arrhythmias, unexplained sudden death), and exam findings (e.g., heart murmurs, irregular rhythms).
    • Athletes with positive findings must be referred to a cardiologist for further evaluation.

  • Timing of prescreening

    • Prescreening must occur within the three months preceding the athlete’s first day of the school year’s athletic activity.

  • Reporting and monitoring (DHSS)

    • DHSS must publish an annual report on its website detailing the total number of examinations and referrals to cardiology, plus analysis of outcomes.
    • The monitoring system should track screenings performed, uptake by clinicians, positive screen rates, follow-up actions, and, where possible, data on false positives and additional diagnostic studies.

  • Professional education requirements

    • The act directs the state’s healing arts licensing board and the Missouri Board of Nursing to ensure prescreening providers receive continuing education about cardiovascular risk assessment, early signs of cardiac arrest, and referral procedures.

  • Rulemaking and implementation

    • DHSS is authorized to issue necessary rules and regulations to administer the provisions, with standard regulatory safeguards and nonseverability language to ensure coherence with Chapter 536.

Who is affected

  • Student athletes in public or private K-12 schools (and their parents/guardians) participating in athletic activities covered by the act.
  • Coaches of athletic activities (who must complete the mandated training).
  • Qualified medical professionals performing athletic physicals (who must conduct cardiovascular prescreenings and stay current with training).
  • DESE, DHSS, and MSHSAA in implementing, distributing materials, and overseeing compliance.
  • Public and school health and licensing boards through mandated continuing education.

Procedural and timeline highlights

  • Effective starting point: the 2027-28 school year for most requirements (education materials, acknowledgments, coach training, and prescreening).
  • Annual reporting by DHSSSS (DHSS) on screening activity and referrals.
  • Regulatory framework to be established by DHSS with conformity to Missouri rulemaking processes (Chapter 536).

Overall, the bill emphasizes education, early detection through prescreening, mandatory coaching training, and transparency via annual reporting to promote student safety in school athletic activities.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.