Florida Becomes First State to Mandate EKGs for High School Athletes
Starting Tuesday, a groundbreaking new law in Florida known as the Second Chance Act will require all high school student-athletes to undergo at least one electrocardiogram (EKG) before they are allowed to participate in school sports.
Florida is the first state in the nation to implement such a mandate. The goal of the law is to detect hidden heart conditions that could lead to sudden cardiac arrest—a rare but often fatal event in young athletes. An EKG is a noninvasive test that takes only a few minutes and can reveal potentially dangerous irregularities in heart rhythm.
Although the requirement doesn’t fully go into effect until the 2026–27 school year, families are encouraged to have their students tested early. EKG results obtained within the two years prior to the fall 2026 deadline will still be valid under the law.
Under the new law, public school districts are required to offer low-cost EKG screenings to student-athletes in grades 9 through 12. If a school cannot provide the test for $50 or less, families are allowed to opt out. Opt-outs are also available for religious or medical reasons.
The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) has until the 2028–29 school year to establish policies preventing students with abnormal EKG results from participating in any athletic activities—including tryouts, practices, and games—until they receive medical clearance from a physician.
The legislation is part of a broader push by Florida lawmakers to prioritize student health and safety, with other recent measures focused on expanding access to mental health care in schools.
