20-7-1339. Cardiac arrest response for youth athletes -- purpose -- requirements of schools and superintendent of public instruction. (1) The purposes of this section are to:

(a) support, adopt, and implement a cardiac emergency response plan in schools that integrates evidence-based core elements in accordance with the American heart association guidelines or other nationally recognized, evidence-based standards;

(b) raise awareness among parents of youth athletes about the risks related to cardiac arrest; and

(c) ensure that coaches, athletic trainers, and athletic officials understand the risks of cardiac arrest in youth athletes and that they are trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, first aid, and the use of an automatic external defibrillator.

(2) The superintendent of public instruction, after consultation with experts in cardiac arrest prevention, including health professionals, shall develop and make available on the office of public instruction's website an information sheet describing cardiac arrest symptoms and warning signs, including the risks associated with continuing to play or practice after experiencing cardiac arrest symptoms and warning signs. The superintendent of public instruction is encouraged to collaborate with the athletic association, conference, or organization with authority over interscholastic sports in the state in developing materials under this subsection (2) to ensure consistency in information provided to schools, coaches, athletic trainers, and officials.

(3) (a) Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, in accordance with guidelines set forth by either the American heart association or other nationally recognized, evidence-based standards, each school district and nonpublic school with an athletic department or organized athletic program shall develop a standalone cardiac emergency response plan, or embed a cardiac emergency response protocol within the school safety plan or emergency operations plan, that is venue specific and addresses the appropriate use of school personnel to respond to incidents involving an individual experiencing cardiac arrest or a similar life-threatening emergency while attending or participating in a school-sponsored athletic practice or event.

(b) The plan must integrate, at a minimum, the following elements:

(i) establishing a cardiac emergency response team;

(ii) activating the team in response to a sudden cardiac arrest;

(iii) making a clearly marked automated external defibrillator easily accessible in an unlocked location at each school athletic venue and event. The automated external defibrillators must be accessible during the school day and at any school-sponsored athletic event or team practice in which pupils of the school are participating. The automated external defibrillators must be tested and maintained according to the manufacturer's operational guidelines, and notification must be provided to the appropriate first aid, ambulance, or rescue squad or other appropriate emergency medical services provider regarding the defibrillator, the type acquired, and its location.

(iv) disseminating the plan throughout the school campus;

(v) maintaining ongoing hands-on staff training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, first aid, and the use of an automatic external defibrillator;

(vi) practicing annually through the use of drills;

(vii) integrating local emergency medical services with the plan; and

(viii) reviewing and evaluating the plan regularly and annually.

(4) Each school year, before a youth athletic activity season begins:

(a) a school district or nonpublic school shall inform each coach of the coach's duties under this section; and

(b) the coach of a youth athletic activity shall:

(i) obtain and maintain certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, first aid, and the use of an automatic external defibrillator. Certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automatic external defibrillator must be consistent with nationally recognized, evidence-based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines.

(ii) hold an informational meeting for students, parents, and assistant coaches before each athletic season regarding the symptoms and warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest, which may include presentations from physicians, pediatric cardiologists, and athletic trainers as well as the information sheet provided under subsection (2).

(5) (a) If an athletic trainer, official, or coach reasonably believes a student is exhibiting symptoms or warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest, the coach may remove the student from participation in a youth athletic activity.

(b) If the student is removed from participation in the youth athletic activity, the coach shall attempt to notify the student's parent or legal guardian.

(6) A student who is removed from participation in a youth athletic activity under subsection (5) may not participate in a youth athletic activity until the student has been evaluated by and received written clearance from a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner.

(7) The sponsor of a recreational youth athletic activity may follow the guidelines provided under this section.

(8) As used in this section, "youth athletic activity" means:

(a) interscholastic athletics;

(b) an athletic contest or competition, other than interscholastic athletics, that is sponsored by or associated with a school district or a nonpublic school, including competitive and noncompetitive cheerleading;

(c) any sports activity sponsored by a school-affiliated club; or

(d) a practice for an activity under subsection (8)(a), (8)(b), or (8)(c), including an interscholastic practice or scrimmage.