New Ohio Bill Seeks Cardiac Screening for Student Athletes
Ohio lawmakers are considering House Bill 437, a bipartisan proposal that would require targeted cardiac screenings for student athletes. The goal: identify conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a heart muscle disorder that can trigger sudden cardiac arrest during physical activity.
Under the bill, athletes would complete a state-developed cardiac-risk checklist during their routine sports physicals. Only students flagged by the questionnaire would undergo additional screening, a change intended to focus resources where they’re most needed.
Sponsors Rep. Jean Schmidt (R–Clermont County) and Rep. Tristen Rader (D–Lakewood) say the measure strengthens last year’s requirement for AEDs in sports facilities by adding proactive prevention. Healthcare providers who conduct the exams would complete a state-created cardiac screening training every four years.
This updated version of the legislation narrows the screening window to within six weeks before a sports season, removes the need for new state pamphlets, and removes penalties for non-compliance. The bill now heads to additional hearings before it can reach a full House vote.
This proposal supports a child’s right to the highest attainable standard of health, as outlined in the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child, by promoting early detection of life-threatening conditions and safer participation in sports.
