As the 2025-2026 school year comes to a close and students shift their focus from assignments to summer vacation, families are already preparing for changes ahead next school year. A new Florida law aimed at preventing sudden cardiac arrests is calling for an extra layer of protection for young athletes.
The “Second Chance Act” will require high school athletes to get an electrocardiogram, or ECG, in addition to their annual physical before participating in interscholastic athletics for the first time. Florida is the first state in the nation to implement the precautionary measure. The requirement, which goes into effect July 1 for the 2026-2027 school year, applies only to a student’s initial eligibility for interscholastic athletics, meaning repeat ECG screenings will not be required each year.
The law stipulates that students who received an ECG that shows abnormal results must obtain clearance from a physician before they can participate in school sports.
According to the National Institutes of Health, sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death among young athletes. The organization notes that potentially fatal cardiac events occur most often during exercise, regardless of the underlying condition, with nearly 75 percent of cases occurring in basketball, football, and soccer players.
Health officials say the ECGs can detect and diagnose underlying cardiac issues early, including congenital defects, cardiomyopathies, heart disease, and enlarged hearts.
To help families prepare for the new requirement, many healthcare facilities across Central Florida are hosting free physical and heart screening events for students in the coming months.
To find a screening event near you, visit https://www.whoweplayfor.org/heart-screening-registration.