GAINESVILLE, Fla. –  The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC)—joined by representatives from leading medical organizations and advocacy groups—met this week to finalize recommended updates to FHSAA Bylaw 9 and required forms. These updates will guide the implementation of electrocardiogram (ECG) screening requirements for student-athletes under §1006.20, Florida Statutes (The Second Chance Act), which takes effect July 1, 2026.

The committee approved draft bylaw language and standardized forms, which will advance to the FHSAA Board of Directors for a final vote in early 2026.

Key Highlights
Who Must Obtain an ECG:

• All incoming 9th-grade student-athletes
• Any student in grades 10–12 who has never participated in an FHSAA-sanctioned sports

Returning athletes are not required but strongly encouraged to obtain an ECG. The goal is to identify undetected cardiac risk factors and enhance athlete safety.
Documentation:
A one-page standardized form will confirm ECG completion, including:

• Parent/guardian attestation
• Clinician verification
• Referral information, if needed

Although the form will not be officially released until Board approval in early 2026, families are encouraged to complete screenings early. An ECG performed on or after July 1, 2024 will satisfy the requirement.
Parents can visit WhoWePlayFor.org for local screening opportunities, contact their school athletic director or athletic trainer, or consult their family healthcare provider.

Interpretation Standards To ensure accuracy and minimize false positives, clinicians must use the most current International Criteria for Electrocardiographic Interpretation in Athletes. FHSAA will collaborate with statewide medical societies to provide education and training for consistent application.

Parent Options & School Partnerships The committee reviewed parental opt-out pathways, including religious exemptions, and emphasized the need for schools to partner with qualified ECG screening organizations and referral providers to ensure equitable access for all families.

Please direct any questions to FHSAA SMAC Liaison Scott Jamison. 


About the FHSAA
The Florida High School Athletic Association supervises and regulates interscholastic athletic programs for high school students at member public, private and charter schools. The organization also recognizes and honors academic achievement among student-athletes at over 850 middle, junior and senior high schools statewide. Headquartered in Gainesville, it is the official governing body for interscholastic athletics in Florida.