Harrisburg – Senator John DiSanto (Dauphin/Perry) today joined Senate colleagues in approving legislation to help student athletes and their parents take steps to prevent Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA).
Senate Bill 836, known as Peyton’s Law, would inform student athletes and their parents about the importance of electrocardiogram (EKG) testing to detect underlying heart conditions that can lead to SCA.
The legislation is named after Peyton Walker of Cumberland County, who died from Sudden Cardiac Arrest when she was just 19 years old.
It builds on Act 59 of 2012, the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act, which recognized the significance of the issue, requiring information be provided to student athletes about SCA. Currently, student athletes and parents receive an SCA symptoms and warning signs information sheet each school year, which must be signed and returned prior to participation in athletic activities.
Senate Bill 836 amends Act 59 to require: 1) information be provided to student athletes and their parents/guardians regarding electrocardiogram testing and 2) they be notified of the option to request the administration of an electrocardiogram in addition to the standard physical examination.
“Parents know their children best, and making sure they have the information they need before their children choose to participate in athletics will help prevent tragedies,” said DiSanto.
CONTACT: Chuck Erdman cerdman@pasen.gov (717) 787-6801