S. 2373: Jordan McNair Student Athlete Heat Fatality Prevention Act

This bill, called the Jordan McNair Student Athlete Heat Fatality Prevention Act, aims to enhance safety measures for student athletes to prevent heat-related illnesses, which can lead to severe health issues or fatalities. The key provisions of the bill include:

Emergency Action Plans

Institutions of higher education and secondary schools with athletic programs that receive federal funds must:

• Develop and implement a venue-specific heat-related illnesses emergency action plan within one year of the bill's enactment.
• Consult with local emergency responders when creating this plan.

This plan must detail the operation and use of:

• Automatic external defibrillators (AEDs)
• Cold water immersion equipment

Compliance Reporting

After implementing the emergency action plan, schools must submit annual reports to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of the bill to the Secretary of Education and applicable committees.

Plan Requirements

The emergency action plan must:

• Include a symptom identification structure and a coordination of care plan for student athletes showing signs of heat-related illness.
• Be visibly posted in:
• Locker rooms
• Athletic training facilities
• Weight rooms
• Outdoor sports complexes and stadiums
• Be available on the athletic program website or the public website of the institution at the start of each academic year.
• Be distributed to local emergency responders and practiced in-person by key individuals, including athletes, coaches, trainers, and health personnel, before the start of each academic year training.

Recommendations for the Plans

When creating the action plans, schools are encouraged to consider:

• Using the Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature index to assess environmental conditions and heat stress prevention.
• Having an AED readily accessible and properly maintained within three minutes of each sporting venue.
• Including the locations of each AED in the plan.

Secondary Schools

Secondary schools receiving federal funding and having student athletic programs must adhere to similar requirements for heat-related illness emergency action plans, including reporting and training protocols.

Promotion of Federal Grants

The Secretary of Education is tasked with informing educational institutions about federal funds available to:

• Prevent heat-related illnesses.
• Develop training programs focused on heat-related illness prevention.
• Acquire necessary equipment for treating heat-related illnesses.

Purpose of the Bill

The legislation aims to improve knowledge and preparedness regarding heat-related illnesses among coaches, staff, and student athletes, thereby reducing the risk of incidents similar to the tragic case of Jordan McNair, who died from complications related to exertional heatstroke during a football practice.

Relevant Companies

None found