Missouri schools would add heart safety steps for student athletes

State education and health agencies and the high school activities association would distribute materials about sudden cardiac arrest. The materials are for K–12 student athletes, their parents or guardians, and coaches. The materials must follow evidence-based science and explain warning signs and the risks of continuing sports after symptoms. Distribution would begin in the 2027–28 school year and continue each year alongside athletes' physical exams and permission forms.

Student athletes and a parent or guardian would sign and return a form confirming they received and reviewed the materials. The form applies to each student athlete before taking part in a covered athletic activity. The health department and high school activities association would develop the form for association member schools; schools would store it in their online eligibility system. The form would be due before participation and again at the start of each school year when the student plans to take part.

Coaches would complete a sudden cardiac arrest training course approved by the school board. The requirement covers each coach of a covered athletic activity. The course would come from the high school activities association or a qualified provider for its member schools and align with related CPR and defibrillator training. Annual training would start in the 2027–28 school year; a coach could not lead a practice or competition until completing it.

Medical professionals conducting student sports physicals would screen for heart risks and refer athletes with positive findings to a cardiologist. This applies to qualified medical professionals who perform physical exams for student athletes; positive findings would lead to further evaluation and testing by a cardiologist. Screening would follow nationally recognized, evidence-based guidelines for children's heart care and include personal and family history and a focused physical exam. The screening would occur within the three months before the first day of the school year in which the sports season takes place; the requirement would start in 2027–28.