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sSB194 / File No. 494 1
General Assembly File No. 494
February Session, 2026 Substitute Senate Bill No. 194
Senate, April 8, 2026
The Committee on Public Health reported through SEN.
ANWAR of the 3rd Dist., Chairperson of the Committee on the
part of the Senate, that the substitute bill ought to pass.
AN ACT CONCERNING CARDIAC SCREENING AND SUDDEN
CARDIAC ARREST PREVENTION FOR CERTAIN STUDENT
ATHLETES.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:
Section 1. Section 10 -206 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2026): 2
(a) Each local or regional board of education shall require each pupil 3
enrolled in the public schools to have health assessments pursuant to 4
the provisions of this section. Such assessments shall be conducted by 5
(1) a legally qualified practitioner of medicine, (2) an advanced practice 6
registered nurse or registered nurse, licensed pursuant to chapter 378, 7
(3) a physician assistant, licensed pursuant to chapter 370, (4) a school 8
medical advisor, or (5) a legally qualified practitioner of medicine, an 9
advanced practice registered nurse or a physician assistant stationed at 10
any military base, to ascertain whether such pupil is suffering from any 11
physical disability tending to prevent such pupil from receiving the full 12
benefit of school work and to ascertain whether such school work 13
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should be modified in order to prevent injury to the pupil or to secure 14
for the pupil a suitable program of education. No health assessment 15
shall be made of any child enrolled in the public schools unless such 16
examination is made in the presence of the parent or guardian or in the 17
presence of another school employee. The parent or guardian of such 18
child shall receive prior written notice and shall have a reasonable 19
opportunity to be present at such assessment or to provide for such 20
assessment himself or herself. A local or regional board of education 21
may deny continued attendance in public school to any child who fails 22
to obtain the health assessments required under this section. 23
(b) Each local or regional board of education shall require each child 24
to have a health assessment prior to public school enrollment. The 25
assessment shall include: (1) A physical examination [which] that shall 26
include hematocrit or hemoglobin tests, height, weight, blood pressure, 27
a medical risk assessment for lead poisoning and, when indicated by 28
such assessment, a test of the child's blood lead level, and, beginning 29
with the 2003-2004 school year, a chronic disease assessment which shall 30
include, but not be limited to, asthma. The assessment form shall 31
include (A) a check box for the provider conducting the assessment, as 32
provided in subsection (a) of this section, to indicate an asthma 33
diagnosis, (B) screening questions relating to appropriate public health 34
concerns to be answered by the parent or guardian, and (C) screening 35
questions to be answered by such provider; (2) an updating of 36
immunizations as required under section 10-204a, provided a registered 37
nurse may only update said immunizations pursuant to a written order 38
by a physician or physician assistant, licensed pursuant to chapter 370, 39
or an advanced practice registered nurse, licensed pursuant to chapter 40
378; (3) vision, hearing, speech and gross dental screenings; and (4) such 41
other information, including health and developmental history, as the 42
physician feels is necessary and appropriate. The assessment shall also 43
include tests for tuberculosis, sickle cell anemia and Cooley's anemia 44
where the local or regional board of education determines after 45
consultation with the school medical advisor and the local health 46
department, or in the case of a regional board of education, each local 47
health department, that such tests are necessary, provided a registered 48
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nurse may only perform said tests pursuant to the written order of a 49
physician or physician assistant, licensed pursuant to chapter 370, or an 50
advanced practice registered nurse, licensed pursuant to chapter 378. 51
(c) Each local or regional board of education shall require each pupil 52
enrolled in the public schools to have health assessments in either grade 53
six or grade seven and in either grade nine or grade ten. The assessment 54
shall include: (1) A physical examination [which] that shall include 55
hematocrit or hemoglobin tests, height, weight, blood pressure, and, 56
beginning with the 2003-2004 school year, a chronic disease assessment 57
which shall include, but not be limited to, asthma as defined by the 58
Commissioner of Public Health pursuant to subsection (c) of section 19a-59
62a, as amended by this act . The assessment form shall include (A) a 60
check box for the provider conducting the assessment, as provided in 61
subsection (a) of this section, to indicate an asthma diagnosis, (B) 62
screening questions relating to appropriate public health concerns to be 63
answered by the parent or guardian, and (C) screening questions to be 64
answered by such provider; (2) an updating of immunizations as 65
required under section 10 -204a, provided a registered nurse may only 66
update said immunizations pursuant to a written order of a physician 67
or physician assistant, licensed pursuant to chapter 370, or an advanced 68
practice registered nurse, licensed pursuant to chapter 378; (3) vision, 69
hearing, postural and gross dental screenings; and (4) such other 70
information including a health history as the physician feels is necessary 71
and appropriate. The assessment shall also include tests for tuberculosis 72
and sickle cell anemia or Cooley's anemia where the local or regional 73
board of education, in consultation with the school medical advisor and 74
the local health department, or in the case of a regional board of 75
education, each local health department, determines that said screening 76
or test is necessary, provided a registered nurse may only perform said 77
tests pursuant to the written order of a physician or physician assistant, 78
licensed pursuant to chapter 370, or an advanced practice registered 79
nurse, licensed pursuant to chapter 378. 80
(d) For the school year commencing July 1, 2027, and each school year 81
thereafter, each local or regional board of education shall require each 82
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pupil enrolled in grades nine to twelve, inclusive, in the public schools 83
to have an athletics health assessment prior to being permitted to 84
participate in interscholastic athletics for each academic year. The 85
athletics assessment shall include a physical examination that shall 86
include screening for serious cardiac conditions that could lead to 87
sudden cardiac death, which screening shall be performed in 88
accordance with guidelines established by the American Heart 89
Association, the American College of Cardiology or another 90
organization focused on cardiovascular care in pediatric populations. 91
The athletics assessment form shall include (1) a check box for the 92
provider conducting the athletics assessment, as provided in subsection 93
(a) of this section, to indicate any patient or family history of symptoms 94
of such serious cardiac conditions, including, but not limited to, chest 95
pain with exertion or unexplained syncope, and any family history of 96
sudden cardiac death, (2) screening questions relating to a family 97
history of such serious cardiac issues to be answered by the parent or 98
guardian, including, but not limited to, chest pain with exertion, 99
unexplained syncope, sudden cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death, 100
(3) any additional cardiac screening questions to be answered by such 101
provider, as deemed necessary and appropriate by such provider, and 102
(4) check boxes for the provider conducting the athletics assessment to 103
indicate whether (A) based on such assessment, the provider has 104
conducted an electrocardiogram test on the pupil or referred the pupil 105
to another provider to receive such test, and (B) based on the results of 106
any such electrocardiogram test, the provider referred the pupil for any 107
additional cardiac screening or treatment. 108
[(d)] (e) The results of each assessment done pursuant to this section 109
and the results of screenings done pursuant to section 10 -214 shall be 110
recorded on forms supplied by the State Board of Education. Such 111
information shall be included in the cumulative health record of each 112
pupil and shall be kept on file in the school such pupil attends. If a pupil 113
permanently leaves the jurisdiction of the board of education, the pupil's 114
original cumulative health record shall be sent to the chief 115
administrative officer of the school district to which such student 116
moves. The board of education transmitting such health record shall 117
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retain a true copy. Each physician, advanced practice registered nurse, 118
registered nurse, or physician assistant performing health assessments 119
and screenings pursuant to this section and section 10 -214 shall 120
completely fill out and sign each form and any recommendations 121
concerning the pupil shall be in writing. 122
[(e)] (f) Appropriate school health personnel shall review the results 123
of each assessment and screening as recorded pursuant to subsection 124
[(d)] (e) of this section. When, in the judgment of such health personnel, 125
a pupil, as defined in section 10-206a, as amended by this act, is in need 126
of further testing or treatment, the superintendent of schools shall give 127
written notice to the parent or guardian of such pupil and shall make 128
reasonable efforts to assure that such further testing or treatment is 129
provided. Such reasonable efforts shall include a determination of 130
whether or not the parent or guardian has obtained the necessary testing 131
or treatment for the pupil, and, if not, advising the parent or guardian 132
on how such testing or treatment may be obtained. The results of such 133
further testing or treatment shall be recorded pursuant to subsection 134
[(d)] (e) of this section, and shall be reviewed by school health personnel 135
pursuant to this subsection. 136
[(f)] (g) On and after October 1, 2017, each local or regional board of 137
education shall report to the local health department and the 138
Department of Public Health, on an triennial basis, the total number of 139
pupils per school and per school district having a diagnosis of asthma 140
(1) at the time of public school enrollment, (2) in grade six or seven, and 141
(3) in grade nine or ten. The report shall contain the asthma information 142
collected as required under subsections (b) and (c) of this section and 143
shall include pupil age, gender, race, ethnicity and school. Beginning on 144
October 1, 2021, and every three years thereafter, the Department of 145
Public Health shall review the asthma screening information reported 146
pursuant to this section and shall submit a report to the joint standing 147
committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters 148
relating to public health and education concerning asthma trends and 149
distributions among pupils enrolled in the public schools. The report 150
shall be submitted in accordance with the provisions of section 11 -4a 151
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and shall include, but not be limited to, (A) trends and findings based 152
on pupil age, gender, race, ethnicity, school and the education reference 153
group, as determined by the Department of Education for the town or 154
regional school district in which such school is located, and (B) activities 155
of the asthma screening monitoring system maintained under section 156
19a-62a, as amended by this act. 157
Sec. 2. Section 10 -206a of the general statutes is repealed and the 158
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2026): 159
Each local or regional board of education shall provide for health 160
assessments pursuant to [subsection (c) ] subsections (c) and (d) of 161
section 10 -206, as amended by this act, without charge to all pupils 162
whose parents or guardians meet the eligibility requirements for free 163
and reduced price meals under the National School Lunch Program or 164
for free milk under the special milk program. To meet its obligations 165
pursuant to this section, a board of education may utilize existing 166
community resources and services. 167
Sec. 3. Section 19a -62a of the general statutes is repealed and the 168
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2026): 169
(a) The Commissioner of Public Health shall maintain a system of 170
monitoring asthma screening information reported to the Department 171
of Public Health pursuant to subsection [(f)] (g) of section 10 -206, as 172
amended by this act. 173
(b) Not later than October 1, 2021, and triennially thereafter, the 174
Department of Public Health shall post on its Internet web site the 175
activities of the asthma screening monitoring system maintained under 176
subsection (a) of this section, including a report of the information 177
obtained by the department pursuant to subsection [(f)] (g) of section 178
10-206, as amended by this act. 179
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
sections:
Section 1 July 1, 2026 10-206
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Sec. 2 July 1, 2026 10-206a
Sec. 3 July 1, 2026 19a-62a
PH Joint Favorable Subst.
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The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of
the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not
represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose. In general,
fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional
knowledge. Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final
products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.
OFA Fiscal Note
State Impact: None
Municipal Impact:
Municipalities Effect FY 27 $ FY 28 $
Local and Regional School
Districts
STATE
MANDATE1
- Potential
Cost
None Potential
Minimal
Explanation
The bill, which requires high school student athletes to complete an
athletics health assessment and local and regional boards of education
(BOEs) to pay for the assessment for certain students , results in a
potentially minimal cost to BOEs beginning in FY 28 . The cost is
dependent on the number of students for whom the BOE must pay for
the assessment and the cost of the assessment. It is anticipated the cost
of the assessment will be minimal and may be covered by insurance for
some students.
The Out Years
The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would
continue into the future subject to inflation.
1 State mandate is defined in Sec. 2 -32b(2) of the Connecticut General Statutes, "state
mandate" means any state initiated constitutional, statutory or executive action that
requires a local government to establish, expand or modify its activities in such a way
as to necessitate additional expenditures from local revenues.
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OLR Bill Analysis
sSB 194
AN ACT CONCERNING CARDIAC SCREENING AND SUDDEN
CARDIAC ARREST PREVENTION FOR CERTAIN STUDENT
ATHLETES.
SUMMARY
Starting in the 2027-28 school year, this bill generally requires public
high school students, before participating in interscholastic sports, to
have an annual athletics health assessment by a health professional. This
must include a physical exam that screens for serious cardiac conditions
that could lead to sudden death.
Among other things, the assessment form must include information
on relevant patient or family history and whether the provider did an
electrocardiogram (EKG) or referred the student for one.
As with other student health assessments under existing law, the bill
requires schools to (1) provide the assessment for free if the student is
eligible for free or reduced price meals and (2) record the assessment
results in the student’s health record.
The bill extends to these athletic health assessments certain other
provisions that apply to student health assessments under existing law,
including those shielding the records from public inspection and
requiring a religious exemption (CGS §§ 10-208 & -209).
The bill also makes technical and conforming changes.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2026
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ANNUAL ATHLETICS HEALTH ASSESSMENT
Under the bill, the required athletic health assessment for high school
student athletes must be done by a qualified health care provider, such
as a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician
assistant. It must include a physical exam that screens for serious cardiac
conditions that could lead to sudden death , with the screening done in
line with guidelines set by the American Heart Association, the
American College of Cardiology , or another organization focused on
pediatric cardiovascular care.
The assessment form, to be supplied by the state Board of Education,
must include:
1. a check box for the provider to indicate any patient or family
history of serious cardiac symptoms , such as chest pain with
exertion or unexplained syncope (fainting), and family history of
sudden cardiac death;
2. screening questions for the parent or guardian about family
history with these issues, including those listed above or sudden
cardiac arrest;
3. any additional screening questions for the provider to answer as
he or she deems necessary and appropriate; and
4. check boxes for the provider to indicate whether, based on the
assessment, the provider conducted an EKG or referred the
student for one and if so, whether he or she then referred the
student for additional screening or treatment.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Public Health Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 32 Nay 0 (03/23/2026)