School districts must give certain student athletes cardiac-safety information and notice that they may request an electrocardiogram; the University Interscholastic League must adopt rules to run the section.
Sec. 33.096. CARDIAC ASSESSMENTS OF HIGH SCHOOL PARTICIPANTS IN EXTRACURRICULAR ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES. (a) A school district must provide a district student, who is required under University Interscholastic League rule or policy to receive a physical examination before being allowed to participate in an athletic activity sponsored or sanctioned by the University Interscholastic League, the following: (1) information about sudden cardiac arrest and electrocardiogram testing; and (2) notification of the option of the student to request the administration of an electrocardiogram, in addition to the physical examination. (b) A student may request an electrocardiogram from any health care professional, including a health care professional provided through the student's patient-centered medical home, as defined by Section 540.0712, Government Code, a health care professional provided through a school district program, or another health care professional chosen by the parent or person standing in parental relation to the student, provided that the health care professional is: (1) appropriately licensed in this state; and (2) authorized to administer and interpret electrocardiograms under the health care professional's scope of practice, as established by the health care professional's Texas licensing act. (c) The University Interscholastic League shall adopt rules as necessary to administer this section. (d) The rules adopted under Subsection (c) must include: (1) criteria under which a school district may request an exemption from the requirements of Subsection (a); (2) variances that allow for a delay of the implementation of the requirement to notify students of the option to request an electrocardiogram under this section; (3) procedures to ensure students receiving the required annual physical examination are notified of the option to request an electrocardiogram; and (4) provisions to ensure that the requirements under this section are minimum standards that provide a school district with the option to implement a program that exceeds the standards required by this section. (e) This section does not create a cause of action or liability or a standard of care, obligation, or duty that provides a basis for a cause of action or liability against a health care professional described by Subsection (b), the University Interscholastic League, a school district, or a district officer or employee for: (1) the injury or death of a student participating in or practicing for an athletic activity sponsored or sanctioned by the University Interscholastic League based on or in connection with the administration or interpretation of or reliance on an electrocardiogram; or (2) the content or distribution of the information required under Subsection (a) or the failure to distribute the required information under this section. Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1023 (H.B. 76), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2019. Amended by: Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 769 (H.B. 4611), Sec. 2.03, eff. April 1, 2025.