Florida will be the first state to mandate EKGS for high school athletes
Starting Tuesday, Florida’s groundbreaking new law known as the Second Chance Act requires all high school athletes to receive at least one electrocardiogram (EKG) before being allowed to participate in school sports.
Florida is the first state in the country to carry out such a mission. The goal of the law is to detect hidden heart conditions that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest. This is rare in young athletes, but often a fatal event. EKG is a non-invasive test that takes only a few minutes and can reveal potentially dangerous irregularities in the rhythm of the heart.
This requirement will not be fully effective until grades 2026-27, but families are encouraged to test students early. EKG results obtained within two years of the fall 2026 deadline remain valid under the law.
Under the new law, public school districts must provide low-cost EKG screenings to student-athletes in grades 9 to 12. Family members can opt out if the school is unable to offer tests under $50. Opt-out is also available for religious or medical reasons.
The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) is here to establish policies that will prevent students from participating in athletic activities, including tryouts, practices and games, while receiving medical permits from their doctors, from grades 2028-29.
The law is part of a broader push by Florida legislators to prioritize student health and safety, with other recent measures focusing on increasing schools’ access to mental health care.
