Sudden Cardiac Arrest Legislation

Initially a California Interscholastic Federation by-law affecting high school school sports programs, this law now applies to our state’s public, private and charter K-12 schools. It includes mandatory Sudden Cardiac Arrest Information sheets that are signed by parent/guardian and student athletes, bi-annual SCA prevention training and new removal/return to play protocol for student athletes who faint/pass out or exhibit a suspected cardiac condition.

This law extends the protocol introduced in AB1639 to community youth sports programs, with the addition that sports officials (referees, umpires, etc.) and administrators also take mandatory Sudden Cardiac Arrest prevention training. This law applies to an organization, business, non-profit entity, school or local governmental agency that sponsors or conducts amateur sports competitions, training, camps or clubs for those under 18.

The California Athletic Trainers Association sponsored AB 2009, which mandates automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and Emergency Action Plans in California schools with interscholastic athletic programs.

In July 2021 California passed AB856 to help parents access and navigate guidelines for how a youth who has been symptomatic or diagnosed with COVID should return to physical activity or participate in athletics. This applies to recreational activity, physical education (PE) in school, and school or community sports teams.