SENATE BILL REPORT

ESSB 5083

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Passed Senate, February 11, 2015

Title: An act relating to the awareness of sudden cardiac arrest for students engaged in athletic activity.

Brief Description: Enacting the sudden cardiac arrest awareness act.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators McAuliffe, Litzow, Rolfes, McCoy, Billig, Darneille, Kohl-Welles, Frockt and Fraser).

Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 1/22/15, 1/29/15 [DPS].

Passed Senate: 2/11/15, 46-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5083 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Litzow, Chair; Dammeier, Vice Chair; McAuliffe, Ranking Member; Billig, Fain, Mullet and Rivers.

Staff: Ailey Kato (786-7434)

Background: Sudden cardiac death is the result of an unexpected failure of proper heart function that may occur during or immediately after exercise. It is reported that cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in youth athletes.

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) is a private, nonprofit service organization and rulemaking body. WIAA consists of nearly 800 member high schools and middle or junior high schools, both public and private, and is divided into nine geographic service districts. WIAA staff administers policies, rules, and regulations and provides other assistance and service to member schools.

The University of Washington Medicine Center for Sports Cardiology aims to advance the cardiovascular care of athletes and physically active patients of all ages. This center is a collaboration between sports medicine and cardiology specialists to establish clinical and academic resources.

Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill: The stated intent of the Legislature is to make youth athletes, their families, and coaches aware of sudden cardiac arrest.

Online Pamphlet. WIAA must work with member schools' board of directors, a nonprofit organization that educates communities about sudden cardiac arrest in youth athletes and the University of Washington Medicine Center for Sports Cardiology to develop and make available an online pamphlet that provides youth athletes, their parents or guardians, and coaches with information about sudden cardiac arrest. The online pamphlet must include information on the nature, risk, symptoms and warning signs, prevention, and treatment of sudden cardiac arrest. The online pamphlet must be posted on the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction's website.

On a yearly basis, prior to participating in an interscholastic athletic activity, a sudden cardiac arrest form stating that the online pamphlet was reviewed must be signed by the youth athlete and the athlete's parents or guardian and returned to the school.

Online Prevention Program for Coaches. WIAA must work with member schools' board of directors, an organization that provides educational training for safe participation in athletic activity, and the University of Washington Medicine Center for Sports Cardiology to make available an existing online sudden cardiac arrest prevention program for coaches.

Every three years prior to coaching an interscholastic athletic activity, coaches must complete the online sudden cardiac arrest prevention program. Coaches must provide a certificate showing completion of the online sudden cardiac arrest prevention program to the school.

Private Nonprofit Organizations. Private nonprofit organizations using school property must provide a statement of compliance with the policies for sudden cardiac awareness.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: PRO: The online prevention program for coaches takes 20 minutes. This bill will save young athletes' lives. This bill is important for parents and students, so that they can recognize signs and symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest, which can be difficult to detect. The typical sports physical may not catch these signs and symptoms. Many parents, students, and coaches may not be aware of sudden cardiac arrest. We protect student athletes from concussions; we should also protect their hearts. Medical science has progressed to be able to recognize markers and symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest. There have been local efforts to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest. This bill would bring awareness to this issue statewide.

OTHER: This bill should go further. It should be modeled after the concussion bill and include private schools and private club sport programs if they play on public fields.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator McAuliffe, prime sponsor; Darla Varrenti, Executive Director, Nick of Time Foundation; Chris Nieuwenhuis, WA State School Directors’ Assn.; Melinda Truax; Spencer Best, Suzanne Apodaca, Scott Driscoll, citizens.

OTHER: Lisa Thatcher, Mike Colbrese, WA Interscholastic Activities Assn.