Sponsors (2)
The bill substantially improves on-site recognition, treatment capacity, and accountability for heat-related and cardiac emergencies in school athletics—likely reducing severe injuries and deaths—but it imposes new costs, administrative burdens, and implementation challenges that could strain under-resourced and small schools unless federal support reaches them in time.
Students (K–college) will face faster recognition and treatment of exertional heat illness and related emergencies, reducing deaths and severe injuries during practices and games.
Students and campus communities will have better on-site emergency capacity because more venues must have accessible AEDs, cold water immersion protocols, mapped equipment, and clearer treatment procedures.
Schools, districts, and campuses can obtain and learn about federal funding and grants to purchase equipment and support prevention efforts, lowering some financial barriers to complying with safety measures.
Schools, especially low-income districts and small colleges, will face new upfront and ongoing costs (training, equipment purchases, facility changes, maintenance) that could strain local education budgets and taxpayers.
School staff and federal/state agencies will incur added administrative burdens from developing plans, annual reporting, posting requirements, and oversight, diverting time and resources from other activities.
Smaller, rural, or resource-limited schools and venues may struggle to meet implementation deadlines or practical requirements (facility alterations, equipment placement), creating gaps in protections.
Based on analysis of 5 sections of legislative text.
Requires K–12 schools (federally funded) and Title IV colleges with athletics to develop, train on, post, and annually report venue-specific heat‑illness emergency plans including AED and cold‑water immersion protocols.
Introduced July 22, 2025 by Angela Deneece Alsobrooks · Last progress July 22, 2025
Requires K–12 schools that receive federal funds and colleges that participate in Title IV programs and have athletics to create, post, train on, and annually report venue-specific emergency plans to prevent and treat heat-related illnesses for student athletes. Plans must be developed with local emergency responders within one year, include use and locations of AEDs and cold water immersion, follow heat-index guidance, be practiced in person each academic year, and be reported to the Secretary of Education and authorizing congressional committees yearly.