BILL ANALYSIS

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo) is a serious medical condition that can be fatal or result in permanent disability. Rhabdo occurs when damaged muscle tissue releases its proteins and electrolytes into the blood, which can damage the heart and kidneys. Causes of rhabdo include heat exposure, physical exertion or overuse, and direct trauma (e.g., crush injury from a fall).

Recently, there have been reports of Texas school-aged athletes being hospitalized for rhabdomyolysis, which means that many Texas coaches may be unaware of the differences between mere physical tiredness and the serious symptoms displayed in athletes who have rhabdo. Symptoms of rhabdomyolysis include muscle cramps, aches, or pains that are more severe than expected; dark urine (tea or cola-colored); or the inability to finish a workout routine. This lack of knowledge may attribute to coaches and activity leaders pushing certain athletes to physical exertion or overuse without ever knowing the symptoms and potentially dire consequences.

Currently, activity leaders and coaches must take safety training to recognize symptoms of head and neck injuries, concussions, second impact syndrome, asthma attacks, heatstroke, and cardiac arrest. Coaches and trainers must also participate in safety drills that stimulate those injuries. However, activity leaders and coaches are currently not required to take safety training to recognize symptoms of rhabdomyolysis nor to participate in safety drills related to that illness.

S.B. 979 adds safety training recognition of symptoms of rhabdomyolysis into the public school activity leader and coaches sports safety training requirements to help protect student athletes. Specifically, S.B. 979 amends Section 33.202(c) of the Education Code to include rhabdomyolysis in the safety training program for certain public school extracurricular activities.

As proposed, S.B. 979 amends current law relating to safety training for certain public school extracurricular activities.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 33.202(c), Education Code, to require that the safety training program include certain content, including current training in certain skills, including recognizing symptoms of potentially catastrophic injuries, including rhabdomyolysis.

SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2023�2024 school year.

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2023.