Committee advances bill to standardize cardiac prescreening for student athletes
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Summary
The committee gave HB970 a favorable report after sponsors and medical experts said the bill would codify American Heart Association and ACC guidance by requiring cardiovascular prescreening and allowing exams by DOs, nurse practitioners and physician assistants; the law would not mandate EKGs.
Representative Townsend opened the committee's consideration of HB970 (LC650051S), describing the measure as a cleanup bill endorsed by the Georgia High School association and the American Heart Association. The sponsor said the bill requires students participating in high school athletic organizations to receive preparticipation physicals that include a cardiovascular prescreening and authorizes exams by a doctor of osteopathic medicine, nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
Dr. Jonathan Kim, director of sports cardiology at Emory University, testified the proposal aligns with American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology guidance: the practical focus is a targeted cardiac history (including family history), vital signs and a focused cardiac physical exam to detect features that could signal genetic heart conditions associated with sudden cardiac arrest. Kim emphasized that the bill is not proposing routine electrocardiograms (EKGs): "The answer is no," he said when asked whether the measure mandates EKGs, noting national organizations do not support required EKG screening for all students.
Representatives queried implementation details including where screenings can occur and who can perform them. Dr. Kim and sponsors said screenings can be done by pediatricians, family physicians, internists, nurse practitioners or physician assistants and can be performed at school when practitioners come on-site or at clinics. Sponsors pointed to bill language intended to validate screenings for the following school year when conducted on or after a specified date to avoid gaps in coverage for athletes whose annual physical dates fall outside sport seasons.
Supporters included a representative of the American Heart Association, who urged committee approval. A chiropractor asked whether certified sports chiropractors could be added as authorized examiners; sponsors said they would research that question but emphasized the bill’s cardiac focus and the need to ensure examiners meet standards of care.
After questions and public testimony, a member moved and the committee voted by voice to report HB970 with a "do pass" recommendation to the full chamber. The committee recorded the action as a do-pass on HB970 (LC650051S).
