(a) As used in this section:(1) (A) “Athletic activity” means an organized athletic activity that is sponsored or associated with a school and in which the participants, a majority of whom are under nineteen (19) years of age, are: (i) Engaged in an athletic game or competition against another team, club, or entity; or (ii) In practice or preparation for an organized athletic game or competition against another team, club, or entity.(B) “Athletic activity” includes without limitation: (i) Interscholastic athletics; (ii) Cheerleading, whether or not the cheerleading is competitive; (iii) Club-sponsored sports activities; and (iv) Sports activities sponsored by school-affiliated organizations;(2) “Automated external defibrillator” means the same as defined in § 20-13-1303;(3) “Cardiopulmonary resuscitation” means the same as defined in § 20-13-1303;(4) “Cardiac emergency response plan” means a written document that establishes the specific steps to be taken during a suspected cardiac emergency or similar life-threatening emergency to reduce death from cardiac arrest in any setting; and(5) “Sudden cardiac arrest” means a medical condition in which the heart stops beating unexpectedly and can quickly lead to death.
(1) (1) (A) “Athletic activity” means an organized athletic activity that is sponsored or associated with a school and in which the participants, a majority of whom are under nineteen (19) years of age, are: (i) Engaged in an athletic game or competition against another team, club, or entity; or (ii) In practice or preparation for an organized athletic game or competition against another team, club, or entity.(B) “Athletic activity” includes without limitation: (i) Interscholastic athletics; (ii) Cheerleading, whether or not the cheerleading is competitive; (iii) Club-sponsored sports activities; and (iv) Sports activities sponsored by school-affiliated organizations;(2) “Automated external defibrillator” means the same as defined in § 20-13-1303;(3) “Cardiopulmonary resuscitation” means the same as defined in § 20-13-1303;(4) “Cardiac emergency response plan” means a written document that establishes the specific steps to be taken during a suspected cardiac emergency or similar life-threatening emergency to reduce death from cardiac arrest in any setting; and(5) “Sudden cardiac arrest” means a medical condition in which the heart stops beating unexpectedly and can quickly lead to death.
(1) (A) “Athletic activity” means an organized athletic activity that is sponsored or associated with a school and in which the participants, a majority of whom are under nineteen (19) years of age, are: (i) Engaged in an athletic game or competition against another team, club, or entity; or (ii) In practice or preparation for an organized athletic game or competition against another team, club, or entity.(B) “Athletic activity” includes without limitation: (i) Interscholastic athletics; (ii) Cheerleading, whether or not the cheerleading is competitive; (iii) Club-sponsored sports activities; and (iv) Sports activities sponsored by school-affiliated organizations;
(A) “Athletic activity” means an organized athletic activity that is sponsored or associated with a school and in which the participants, a majority of whom are under nineteen (19) years of age, are: (i) Engaged in an athletic game or competition against another team, club, or entity; or (ii) In practice or preparation for an organized athletic game or competition against another team, club, or entity.
(i) Engaged in an athletic game or competition against another team, club, or entity; or
(ii) In practice or preparation for an organized athletic game or competition against another team, club, or entity.
(B) “Athletic activity” includes without limitation: (i) Interscholastic athletics; (ii) Cheerleading, whether or not the cheerleading is competitive; (iii) Club-sponsored sports activities; and (iv) Sports activities sponsored by school-affiliated organizations;
(i) Interscholastic athletics;
(ii) Cheerleading, whether or not the cheerleading is competitive;
(iii) Club-sponsored sports activities; and
(iv) Sports activities sponsored by school-affiliated organizations;
(2) “Automated external defibrillator” means the same as defined in § 20-13-1303;
(3) “Cardiopulmonary resuscitation” means the same as defined in § 20-13-1303;
(4) “Cardiac emergency response plan” means a written document that establishes the specific steps to be taken during a suspected cardiac emergency or similar life-threatening emergency to reduce death from cardiac arrest in any setting; and
(5) “Sudden cardiac arrest” means a medical condition in which the heart stops beating unexpectedly and can quickly lead to death.
(b) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education shall develop guidelines and other relevant materials to inform and educate school officials, teachers, athletic coaches, students, and parents about the nature and warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest, including the risks associated with continuing to participate in or practice an athletic activity when experiencing any of the following symptoms:(1) Fainting or seizures during exercise;(2) Unexplained shortness of breath;(3) Chest pain;(4) Dizziness;(5) Racing heart beat; or(6) Extreme fatigue.
(1) Fainting or seizures during exercise;
(2) Unexplained shortness of breath;
(3) Chest pain;
(4) Dizziness;
(5) Racing heart beat; or
(6) Extreme fatigue.
(c) A school may hold an informational meeting before the start of each athletic activity season regarding the symptoms and warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest for the following individuals:(1) Student competitors of all ages;(2) Parents or legal guardians;(3) Coaches and athletic trainers;(4) Healthcare professionals, including without limitation physicians and pediatric cardiologists; and(5) Other school officials.
(1) Student competitors of all ages;
(2) Parents or legal guardians;
(3) Coaches and athletic trainers;
(4) Healthcare professionals, including without limitation physicians and pediatric cardiologists; and
(5) Other school officials.
(d) Before participation in an athletic activity and before each school year while participating in an athletic activity, a student and the parent or legal guardian of the student shall sign and return an acknowledgement of receipt and review of an information sheet regarding sudden cardiac arrest.
(e) (1) If a student faints or loses consciousness while participating in or immediately following an athletic activity, the athletic director, coach, or athletic trainer shall remove the student from participation in the athletic activity at that time.(2) (A) If a student exhibits any symptom as described in subdivisions (b)(2)-(6) of this section while participating in or immediately following an athletic activity and an athletic trainer reasonably believes that the symptom is cardiac-related, the athletic trainer may remove the student from participation in the athletic activity at that time.(B) A coach who observes a student exhibiting any symptom as described in subdivisions (b)(2)-(6) of this section while participating in or immediately following an athletic activity shall notify the parent or legal guardian of the student's symptom.(3) A student who is removed from participation in an athletic activity shall not be permitted to return to participation in an athletic activity until the student is evaluated and cleared for return to participation in writing by a licensed medical physician in the State of Arkansas.(4) A coach, athletic director, school nurse, or athletic trainer acting in good faith under this section is not liable for any action or inaction unless the coach, athletic director, school nurse, or athletic trainer is acting in a grossly negligent or reckless manner.
(1) If a student faints or loses consciousness while participating in or immediately following an athletic activity, the athletic director, coach, or athletic trainer shall remove the student from participation in the athletic activity at that time.
(2) (A) If a student exhibits any symptom as described in subdivisions (b)(2)-(6) of this section while participating in or immediately following an athletic activity and an athletic trainer reasonably believes that the symptom is cardiac-related, the athletic trainer may remove the student from participation in the athletic activity at that time.(B) A coach who observes a student exhibiting any symptom as described in subdivisions (b)(2)-(6) of this section while participating in or immediately following an athletic activity shall notify the parent or legal guardian of the student's symptom.
(A) If a student exhibits any symptom as described in subdivisions (b)(2)-(6) of this section while participating in or immediately following an athletic activity and an athletic trainer reasonably believes that the symptom is cardiac-related, the athletic trainer may remove the student from participation in the athletic activity at that time.
(B) A coach who observes a student exhibiting any symptom as described in subdivisions (b)(2)-(6) of this section while participating in or immediately following an athletic activity shall notify the parent or legal guardian of the student's symptom.
(3) A student who is removed from participation in an athletic activity shall not be permitted to return to participation in an athletic activity until the student is evaluated and cleared for return to participation in writing by a licensed medical physician in the State of Arkansas.
(4) A coach, athletic director, school nurse, or athletic trainer acting in good faith under this section is not liable for any action or inaction unless the coach, athletic director, school nurse, or athletic trainer is acting in a grossly negligent or reckless manner.
(f) All sponsors of youth athletic activities are encouraged to follow the guidelines developed by the Department of Health.
(g) (1) Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, each school shall develop and implement a protocol within the emergency operation plan addressing a cardiac emergency response plan that addresses the appropriate use of school personnel to respond to incidents involving an individual experiencing sudden cardiac arrest or a similar life-threatening emergency while on school grounds.(2) In developing a cardiac emergency response plan, a school shall ensure that the cardiac emergency response plan includes without limitation:(A) Integrated nationally recognized core elements, such as elements recommended by a nationally recognized organization focused on emergency cardiovascular care;(B) The establishment of a cardiac emergency response team;(C) A requirement that the cardiac emergency response team be activated in response to a sudden cardiac arrest;(D) (i) A process for automated external defibrillator placement and routine maintenance within the school.(ii) Appropriate automated external defibrillator placement shall be determined by the cardiac emergency response plan in accordance with guidelines of the American Heart Association or an organization focused on emergency cardiovascular care.(iii) An automated external defibrillator shall be: (a) Placed on site; (b) Identified with appropriate signage; (c) Made available in an unlocked location on school property; and (d) Encouraged to be used on an individual experiencing sudden cardiac arrest or a similar life-threatening emergency within three (3) minutes;(E) A requirement that the cardiac emergency response plan be disseminated throughout the school campus;(F) (i) A process for maintenance of ongoing staff training in the use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation or an automated external defibrillator, or both.(ii) Appropriate school staff shall be trained in the use of first-aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and an automated external defibrillator through guidelines of a nationally recognized organization focused on emergency cardiovascular care;(G) The incorporation of annual practice drills regarding sudden cardiac arrest;(H) (i) The integration of local emergency medical services with the cardiac emergency response plan.(ii) School officials shall work directly with local emergency service providers to integrate the cardiac emergency response plan into the community’s emergency medical services responder protocols; and(I) A procedure for review and evaluation of the cardiac emergency response plan.(3) The Department of Education may establish a procedure for monitoring adherence by schools to the requirements under this section.(4) A school shall incorporate the requirements of this section at the next scheduled revision of the school's emergency operations plan, but no later than the 2026-2027 school year.
(1) Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, each school shall develop and implement a protocol within the emergency operation plan addressing a cardiac emergency response plan that addresses the appropriate use of school personnel to respond to incidents involving an individual experiencing sudden cardiac arrest or a similar life-threatening emergency while on school grounds.
(2) In developing a cardiac emergency response plan, a school shall ensure that the cardiac emergency response plan includes without limitation:(A) Integrated nationally recognized core elements, such as elements recommended by a nationally recognized organization focused on emergency cardiovascular care;(B) The establishment of a cardiac emergency response team;(C) A requirement that the cardiac emergency response team be activated in response to a sudden cardiac arrest;(D) (i) A process for automated external defibrillator placement and routine maintenance within the school.(ii) Appropriate automated external defibrillator placement shall be determined by the cardiac emergency response plan in accordance with guidelines of the American Heart Association or an organization focused on emergency cardiovascular care.(iii) An automated external defibrillator shall be: (a) Placed on site; (b) Identified with appropriate signage; (c) Made available in an unlocked location on school property; and (d) Encouraged to be used on an individual experiencing sudden cardiac arrest or a similar life-threatening emergency within three (3) minutes;(E) A requirement that the cardiac emergency response plan be disseminated throughout the school campus;(F) (i) A process for maintenance of ongoing staff training in the use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation or an automated external defibrillator, or both.(ii) Appropriate school staff shall be trained in the use of first-aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and an automated external defibrillator through guidelines of a nationally recognized organization focused on emergency cardiovascular care;(G) The incorporation of annual practice drills regarding sudden cardiac arrest;(H) (i) The integration of local emergency medical services with the cardiac emergency response plan.(ii) School officials shall work directly with local emergency service providers to integrate the cardiac emergency response plan into the community’s emergency medical services responder protocols; and(I) A procedure for review and evaluation of the cardiac emergency response plan.
(A) Integrated nationally recognized core elements, such as elements recommended by a nationally recognized organization focused on emergency cardiovascular care;
(B) The establishment of a cardiac emergency response team;
(C) A requirement that the cardiac emergency response team be activated in response to a sudden cardiac arrest;
(D) (i) A process for automated external defibrillator placement and routine maintenance within the school.(ii) Appropriate automated external defibrillator placement shall be determined by the cardiac emergency response plan in accordance with guidelines of the American Heart Association or an organization focused on emergency cardiovascular care.(iii) An automated external defibrillator shall be: (a) Placed on site; (b) Identified with appropriate signage; (c) Made available in an unlocked location on school property; and (d) Encouraged to be used on an individual experiencing sudden cardiac arrest or a similar life-threatening emergency within three (3) minutes;
(i) A process for automated external defibrillator placement and routine maintenance within the school.
(ii) Appropriate automated external defibrillator placement shall be determined by the cardiac emergency response plan in accordance with guidelines of the American Heart Association or an organization focused on emergency cardiovascular care.
(iii) An automated external defibrillator shall be: (a) Placed on site; (b) Identified with appropriate signage; (c) Made available in an unlocked location on school property; and (d) Encouraged to be used on an individual experiencing sudden cardiac arrest or a similar life-threatening emergency within three (3) minutes;
(a) Placed on site;
(b) Identified with appropriate signage;
(c) Made available in an unlocked location on school property; and
(d) Encouraged to be used on an individual experiencing sudden cardiac arrest or a similar life-threatening emergency within three (3) minutes;
(E) A requirement that the cardiac emergency response plan be disseminated throughout the school campus;
(F) (i) A process for maintenance of ongoing staff training in the use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation or an automated external defibrillator, or both.(ii) Appropriate school staff shall be trained in the use of first-aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and an automated external defibrillator through guidelines of a nationally recognized organization focused on emergency cardiovascular care;
(i) A process for maintenance of ongoing staff training in the use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation or an automated external defibrillator, or both.
(ii) Appropriate school staff shall be trained in the use of first-aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and an automated external defibrillator through guidelines of a nationally recognized organization focused on emergency cardiovascular care;
(G) The incorporation of annual practice drills regarding sudden cardiac arrest;
(H) (i) The integration of local emergency medical services with the cardiac emergency response plan.(ii) School officials shall work directly with local emergency service providers to integrate the cardiac emergency response plan into the community’s emergency medical services responder protocols; and
(i) The integration of local emergency medical services with the cardiac emergency response plan.
(ii) School officials shall work directly with local emergency service providers to integrate the cardiac emergency response plan into the community’s emergency medical services responder protocols; and
(I) A procedure for review and evaluation of the cardiac emergency response plan.
(3) The Department of Education may establish a procedure for monitoring adherence by schools to the requirements under this section.
(4) A school shall incorporate the requirements of this section at the next scheduled revision of the school's emergency operations plan, but no later than the 2026-2027 school year.