Florida made history a few weeks ago as the first state in the nation to require electrocardiogram (ECG) screenings for high school student athletes, following the signing of landmark legislation—The Second Chance Act—into law by Governor Ron DeSantis. This policy is designed to identify the 1 in 300 youth with an undiagnosed heart condition that puts them at risk for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA)—the leading cause of death among student athletes and on school campuses. With this action, Florida positions itself as a national trailblazer in youth cardiac safety. Beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, students in grades 9–12 will be required to complete at least one ECG screening the first time they participate in interscholastic athletic competition or try out for a school sports team.
Florida Becomes First State to Require ECG Screenings for High School Athletes
