84R2272 JSL-D
 
  By: Turner of Harris H.B. No. 677
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to cardiac assessments of participants in extracurricular
  athletic activities sponsored or sanctioned by the University
  Interscholastic League.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 33, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 33.095 to read as follows:
         Sec. 33.095.  CARDIAC ASSESSMENTS OF PARTICIPANTS IN
  EXTRACURRICULAR ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES. (a) Except as provided under
  Subsection (d), a school district must require a district student
  who is required under University Interscholastic League rule or
  policy to receive a physical examination before being allowed to
  participate in an athletic activity sponsored or sanctioned by the
  University Interscholastic League to also have administered to the
  student an electrocardiogram before being allowed to participate in
  the activity, including a practice for the activity, as follows:
               (1)  one time before the student's first year of
  participation; and
               (2)  another time before the student's third year of
  participation.
         (b)  This section does not create a cause of action or
  liability against an appropriately licensed or certified health
  care professional, a school district, or a district officer or
  employee for the injury or death of a student participating in or
  practicing for an athletic activity sponsored or sanctioned by the
  University Interscholastic League based on or in connection with
  the administration or evaluation of or reliance on an
  electrocardiogram or on any echocardiogram.
         (c)  The University Interscholastic League shall adopt rules
  as necessary to administer this section.
         (d)  The rules adopted under Subsection (c) must include a
  rule for granting a waiver from administration of an
  electrocardiogram under this section to a student in response to a
  written request from the parent of or person standing in parental
  relation to the student claiming a financial or religious reason
  for the waiver.
         SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2015-2016
  school year.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2015.