§244a Materials and Resources to Increase Education and Awareness of Cardiomyopathy Among School Administrators, Educators, and Families

Summary

The Secretary must work with the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to create public education materials within 18 months after December 23, 2024 (by June 23, 2026). The materials must teach school leaders, teachers, school health staff, coaches, families, guardians, and caregivers about the signs, symptoms, and risk factors of high‑risk heart conditions and genetic heart rhythm problems that can cause sudden cardiac arrest in children, teens, and young adults. Examples include cardiomyopathy and named rhythm disorders (long QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome, catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, short QT syndrome, Wolff‑Parkinson‑White syndrome) and other high‑risk conditions. The materials must also cover where to place automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in schools and child care settings, AED and CPR training information, and how to make and use a school cardiac emergency response plan. No later than 30 months after December 23, 2024 (by June 23, 2027), the Secretary must distribute these materials to State education agencies to share with school staff and families, and provide the cardiomyopathy risk assessment from section 244b(b)(1) to parents and caregivers. The materials must also be made available to state and local health departments, pediatricians, hospitals, nurses, first responders, and other health professionals. The CDC Director must post the materials on the CDC public website and may add more cardiomyopathy information. State education agencies are encouraged to post the materials on public webpages. Key terms (one line each): cardiomyopathy — a disease of the heart muscle with variable symptoms; recognized types include dilated, hypertrophic, restrictive, arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia, and left ventricular non‑compaction. Director — Director of the CDC. Early childhood education program, elementary school, secondary school — have the meanings in section 7801 of title 20. School administrator — a principal, director, manager, or similar leader in those settings. School health professional — a health worker serving in those settings.