§70-24-156. Chase Morris Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act.
897 words·~4 min read·
/ok/title-70-schools/70-24-156·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
A. This act shall be known and may be cited as the “Chase Morris Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act”.
B. As used in the Chase Morris Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act, “athletic activity” means any sport sanctioned and offered in grades seven through twelve by a school district.
C. The State Department of Health and the State Department of Education shall jointly develop and post on their publicly accessible websites guidelines and other relevant materials to inform and educate students participating in or desiring to participate in an athletic activity, their parents, and their coaches about the nature and warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest including the risks associated with continuing to play or practice after experiencing one or more symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest including unexplained fainting, difficulty breathing, chest pains, dizziness, and abnormal racing heart rate.
In developing the guidelines and materials, the State Department of Health and the State Department of Education may utilize existing materials developed by other entities or organizations.
D. A student participating in or desiring to participate in an athletic activity and the student’s parent or guardian shall, each school year and prior to participation by the student in an athletic activity, sign and return to the student’s school an acknowledgement of receipt and review of a sudden cardiac arrest symptoms and warning signs information sheet jointly developed by the State Department of Health and the State Department of Education.
E. A school may hold an informational meeting prior to the start of each athletic season for all ages of competitors regarding the symptoms and warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest. In
addition to students, parents, coaches, and other school officials, informational meetings may include physicians, pediatric cardiologists, and athletic trainers.
F. A student who collapses or faints without a concurrent head injury while participating in an athletic activity shall be removed by the coach from participation at that time.
G. A student removed or prevented from participating in an athletic activity pursuant to subsection F of this section shall not return to participation until the student is evaluated and cleared for return to participation in writing by a health care provider as defined in Section 3090.2 of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
H. Once each year, a coach of an athletic activity, school nurses, and athletic trainers shall complete:
1. The sudden cardiac arrest training course offered by a provider approved by the State Department of Health; and
2. Training in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and use of an automated external defibrillator. The training shall follow guidelines set by a nationally recognized, guidelines-based organization focused on emergency cardiovascular care. A coach of an athletic activity shall not coach the athletic activity until the coach completes the training course required under this subsection.
I. Each public school in this state shall develop a sudden cardiac emergency response plan. The plan shall be formulated by a school site administrator and presented to the school district board of education. The plan shall:
1. Establish and provide for membership of a sudden cardiac emergency response team for each school site. Each team shall include a school site administrator;
2. Activate the team in response to a sudden cardiac arrest;
3. Implement automated external defibrillator
(AED)placement and routine maintenance within the school as needed and dictated by the plan and in accordance with guidelines set by a nationally recognized, guidelines-based organization focused on emergency cardiovascular care. The plan shall provide for implementation of clearly marked and easily accessible AED placement;
4. Provide for communication and dissemination of the plan throughout the school campus;
5. Require the response team to practice the plan by conducting periodic drills;
6. Provide for coordination with emergency medical service providers that serve the area in which the school is located;
7. Address athletic events and athletic facilities at each middle school and high school site provided:
a. an AED shall be placed at each athletic venue or be
accessible within one to three minutes of each venue
where athletic practices or competitions are held, or
b.
a mobile AED device shall be on the premises in
accordance with guidelines set by a nationally
recognized, guidelines-based organization focused on
emergency cardiovascular care;
8. Provide for appropriate school staff to be trained in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the use of an AED in accordance with guidelines set by a nationally recognized, guidelines-based organization focused on emergency cardiovascular care. The plan shall stipulate the appropriate staff to receive training which shall include, but not be limited to, athletic coaches, school nurses, and athletic trainers; and
9. Be reviewed by the school district board of education and sudden cardiac emergency response team members and updated annually.
J. The sponsors of youth athletic activities not associated with a school are encouraged to follow the guidance stated in the Chase Morris Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act.
K. Nothing in the Chase Morris Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act shall be construed to create, establish, expand, reduce, contract, or eliminate any civil liability on the part of any school or school employee.
L. The State Board of Health and the State Board of Education shall promulgate rules to implement the provisions of the Chase Morris Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act. Added by Laws 2015, c. 272, § 1, eff. July 1, 2015. Amended by Laws 2024, c. 451, § 1, eff. July 1, 2024.