Senate committee hears bill to require cardiac arrest education for student athletes

Senate Education Committee members on Thursday heard testimony on Senate Bill 2099, which would add a section to chapter 15.1 of the North Dakota Century Code requiring cardiac arrest prevention education for student athletes, their parents and coaches and requiring coaches to complete cardiac arrest training and hold informational meetings before each athletic season.

The bill—s sponsor, Senator Tim Mathern, said the measure was prompted by student athletes and by Jacob Willis, a student and the bill—s primary author. "This bill proposes a new section in chapter 15.1 of the North Dakota century code to establish a cardiac arrest prevention and education requirement for student athletes and their coaches," Mathern said, describing requirements that would include materials for students and parents, coach training in CPR and AED use, and a requirement that coaches hold informational meetings before each season.

Supporters told the committee the measure addresses sudden cardiac arrest, which they called the leading cause of death among student athletes. "Every 3 days, a student in the United States loses their life to sudden cardiac arrest, making it the leading cause of death for this group," said Jacob Willis, who testified remotely and identified himself as a college student and a volunteer…