HARRISBURG – Today the Senate approved legislation sponsored by Senator Mike Regan (R-31) which aims to educate every student athlete and their parents about electrocardiogram (EKG) testing to detect underlying heart conditions that can lead to Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA).
“SCA is the leading killer of student athletes in the United States and the leading cause of death on school campuses,” noted Regan. “Recognizing these staggering statistics, I introduced this legislation in honor of Peyton Walker, a young woman from Camp Hill who died of SCA at the age of 19 – six years ago this Saturday.”
Senate Bill 836, known as Peyton’s Law, builds off of Act 59 of 2012, the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act, which established the current requirement that student athletes and parents receive an SCA symptoms and warning signs information sheet each school year that must be signed and returned prior to participation in athletic activities.
Based on recently enacted legislation in Texas, known as Cody’s Law, SB 836 amends Act 59 to require: 1) information be provided to student athletes and their parents/guardians regarding EKG testing and 2) they be notified of the option to request the administration of an EKG in addition to the standard physical examination.
“I would like to thank my colleagues from both sides of the aisle who have joined me as co-sponsors and supporters of this important bill, and I am especially grateful that we are voting on it as Peyton’s family prepares to mark the anniversary of her passing,” stated Regan.
The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.
CONTACT: Taylor Wamsher, twamsher@pasen.gov, 717-787-8524