Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Arkansas Code Title 6. Education § 6-18-713. Student sudden cardiac arrest education

Current as of March 28, 2024 | Updated by FindLaw Staff

(a)(1) As used in this section, “athletic activity” means an organized athletic activity that is sponsored or associated with a school and in which the participants, a majority of whom are under nineteen (19) years of age are:

(A) Engaged in an athletic game or competition against another team, club, or entity; or

(B) In practice or preparation for an organized athletic game or competition against another team, club, or entity.

(2) As used in this section, “athletic activity” includes without limitation:

(A) Interscholastic athletics;

(B) Cheerleading, whether or not the cheerleading is competitive;

(C) Club-sponsored sports activities; and

(D) Sports activities sponsored by school-affiliated organizations.

(b) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education shall develop guidelines and other relevant materials to inform and educate school officials, teachers, athletic coaches, students, and parents about the nature and warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest, including the risks associated with continuing to participate in or practice an athletic activity when experiencing any of the following symptoms:

(1) Fainting or seizures during exercise;

(2) Unexplained shortness of breath;

(3) Chest pain;

(4) Dizziness;

(5) Racing heart beat; or

(6) Extreme fatigue.

(c) A school may hold an informational meeting before the start of each athletic activity season regarding the symptoms and warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest for the following individuals:

(1) Student competitors of all ages;

(2) Parents or legal guardians;

(3) Coaches and athletic trainers;

(4) Healthcare professionals, including without limitation physicians and pediatric cardiologists; and

(5) Other school officials.

(d) Before participation in an athletic activity and before each school year while participating in an athletic activity, a student and the parent or legal guardian of the student shall sign and return an acknowledgement of receipt and review of an information sheet regarding sudden cardiac arrest.

(e)(1) If a student faints or loses consciousness while participating in or immediately following an athletic activity, the athletic director, coach, or athletic trainer shall remove the student from participation in the athletic activity at that time.

(2)(A) If a student exhibits any symptom as described in subdivisions (b)(2)-(6) of this section while participating in or immediately following an athletic activity and an athletic trainer reasonably believes that the symptom is cardiac-related, the athletic trainer may remove the student from participation in the athletic activity at that time.

(B) A coach who observes a student exhibiting any symptom as described in subdivisions (b)(2)-(6) of this section while participating in or immediately following an athletic activity shall notify the parent or legal guardian of the student's symptom.

(3) A student who is removed from participation in an athletic activity shall not be permitted to return to participation in an athletic activity until the student is evaluated and cleared for return to participation in writing by a licensed medical physician in the State of Arkansas.

(4) A coach, athletic director, school nurse, or athletic trainer acting in good faith under this section is not liable for any action or inaction unless the coach, athletic director, school nurse, or athletic trainer is acting in a grossly negligent or reckless manner.

(f) All sponsors of youth athletic activities are encouraged to follow the guidelines developed by the Department of Health.

Back to chapter list
Previous part of code Next part of code
Back to chapter list

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Arkansas Code Title 6. Education § 6-18-713. Student sudden cardiac arrest education - last updated March 28, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ar/title-6-education/ar-code-sect-6-18-713.html

Read this complete Arkansas Code Title 6. Education § 6-18-713. Student sudden cardiac arrest education on Westlaw

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature or via Westlaw before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Search all Arkansas Codes

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About the Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to find an attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

    More Options
    Copied to clipboard