2020 Arkansas Code
Title 6 - Education
Subtitle 2 - Elementary and Secondary Education Generally
Chapter 18 - Students
Subchapter 7 - Health
§ 6-18-713. Student sudden cardiac arrest education — Definition

(a)

1. (1) As used in this section, “athletic activity” means an organized athletic activity that is sponsored or associated with a school and in which the participants, a majority of whom are under nineteen (19) years of age are:

   1. (A) Engaged in an athletic game or competition against another team, club, or entity; or

   2. (B) In practice or preparation for an organized athletic game or competition against another team, club, or entity.

2. (2) As used in this section, “athletic activity” includes without limitation:

   1. (A) Interscholastic athletics;

   2. (B) Cheerleading, whether or not the cheerleading is competitive;

   3. (C) Club-sponsored sports activities; and

   4. (D) Sports activities sponsored by school-affiliated organizations.

(b) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education shall develop guidelines and other relevant materials to inform and educate school officials, teachers, athletic coaches, students, and parents about the nature and warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest, including the risks associated with continuing to participate in or practice an athletic activity when experiencing any of the following symptoms:

1. (1) Fainting or seizures during exercise;

2. (2) Unexplained shortness of breath;

3. (3) Chest pain;

4. (4) Dizziness;

5. (5) Racing heart beat; or

6. (6) Extreme fatigue.

(c) A school may hold an informational meeting before the start of each athletic activity season regarding the symptoms and warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest for the following individuals:

1. (1) Student competitors of all ages;

2. (2) Parents or legal guardians;

3. (3) Coaches and athletic trainers;

4. (4) Healthcare professionals, including without limitation physicians and pediatric cardiologists; and

5. (5) Other school officials.

(d) Before participation in an athletic activity and before each school year while participating in an athletic activity, a student and the parent or legal guardian of the student shall sign and return an acknowledgement of receipt and review of an information sheet regarding sudden cardiac arrest.

(e)

1. (1) If a student faints or loses consciousness while participating in or immediately following an athletic activity, the athletic director, coach, or athletic trainer shall remove the student from participation in the athletic activity at that time.

2. (2)

   1. (A) If a student exhibits any symptom as described in subdivisions (b)(2) through (b)(6) of this section while participating in or immediately following an athletic activity and an athletic trainer reasonably believes that the symptom is cardiac-related, the athletic trainer may remove the student from participation in the athletic activity at that time.

   2. (B) A coach who observes a student exhibiting any symptom as described in subdivisions (b)(2) through (b)(6) of this section while participating in or immediately following an athletic activity shall notify the parent or legal guardian of the student's symptom.

3. (3) A student who is removed from participation in an athletic activity shall not be permitted to return to participation in an athletic activity until the student is evaluated and cleared for return to participation in writing by a licensed medical physician in the State of Arkansas.

4. (4) A coach, athletic director, school nurse, or athletic trainer acting in good faith under this section is not liable for any action or inaction unless the coach, athletic director, school nurse, or athletic trainer is acting in a grossly negligent or reckless manner.

(f) All sponsors of youth athletic activities are encouraged to follow the guidelines developed by the Department of Health.