LANSING, Mich., March 23, 2023 – State Rep. Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield) introduced legislation this month to keep student-athletes safe by promoting awareness of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).
House Bill 4291 would require parents of student-athletes, as well as the athletes themselves, to review and sign an information form acknowledging they know the warning signs of SCA. It would also require coaches to take an annual training course on SCA and remove players who exhibit symptoms of SCA.
“SCA is the number one cause of death for our student-athletes, and the warning signs and symptoms of SCA are unfortunately not yet widely known,” Brabec said. “It’s crucial that we give parents and coaches the knowledge necessary to intervene when a student experiences SCA before it’s too late. As a lawmaker, I am committed to passing legislation that will save young people’s lives.”
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, SCA takes the lives of thousands of children every year. Brabec is introducing this bill because of the tragic deaths of a student-athlete in Washtenaw County two years ago and another student-athlete in Detroit this year.
Sixteen other states have passed similar legislation. More information about SCA can be found here.