Access to AEDs Act (S.1024 and H.R.2370) The Access to AEDs Act (S. 1024 and H.R. 2370) was introduced by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Representatives Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL-20), and Bill Posey (R-FL-8) on March 29, 2023. The Access to AEDs Act authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants to local education agencies, including public charter schools operating as such, to establish comprehensive AED and CPR programs in public elementary and secondary schools. This includes providing CPR and AED training programs in public schools and replacing outdated AED and CPR equipment, and screening student athletes for risk of sudden cardiac arrest consistent with guidelines set by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology. The HHS Secretary is mandated to establish a clearinghouse database to collect and make available information regarding student access to defibrillation in public schools, including the costs of providing AEDs and CPR training.
Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act of 2023 (S. 205) The Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act of 2023 (S. 205) was introduced by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL), the sole sponsor, on February 1, 2023. The bill establishes minimum requirements related to concussion safety and management. These requirements include the development and implementation of a concussion safety and management plan by each local educational agency, educating students, parents, and school personnel on concussions, posting information on concussions in schools, immediately removing students from athletic activities if a concussion is suspected, and requiring a written release from a healthcare professional before a student can resume participation in athletics after a concussion.
The Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act of 2023 (S. 786 and H.R. 1582) The PHIT Act of 2023 (S. 786 and H.R. 1582) was introduced by Senator John Thune (R-SD) and Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA-16). The PHIT Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a yearly medical care tax deduction of up to $1,000 ($2,000 for a joint return or a head of household) for qualified sports and fitness expenses. Qualified sports and fitness expenses include membership at a fitness facility, participation or instruction in a physical exercise or physical activity, or equipment used in a program of physical exercise or physical activity.
Promoting Physical Activity for Americans Act (S. 397) The Promoting Physical Activity for Americans Act (S. 397) was introduced by Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) on February 13, 2023. The bill requires the HHS Secretary to publish a report that provides physical activity recommendations for the American public based on the most current evidence-based scientific and medical knowledge available at the time the report is prepared. The report is required to include additional recommendations for population subgroups, such as children and persons with disabilities.
Jordan McNair Student Athlete Heat Fatality Prevention Act (S. 2081 and H.R. 4256) The Jordan McNair Student Athlete Heat Fatality Prevention Act (S. 2081 and H.R. 4256) was introduced by Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Representatives Kweisi Mfume (D-MD-7), and David Trone (D-MD-6) on June 21, 2023. The bill is dedicated to Jordan McNair, a freshman offensive lineman at the University of Maryland’s football team in 2018 who tragically passed away from heat exhaustion. The bill requires college athletic programs to create, implement, and rehearse specific heat illness emergency action plans in consultation with emergency first responders prior to in-person practice. Plans must include a plan for the operation and use of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) as well as cold water immersion equipment. The legislation requires college athletic programs to post their heat illness emergency actions plan on their program’s website and share their plan with local emergency first responders.