Florida Mandates ECGs for Student Athletes
The Second Chance Act now requires heart screenings for high school athletes across Florida to detect cardiac risks.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Heart Disease
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As of the 2026-27 school year, Florida law requires electrocardiograms for incoming ninth graders and new student athletes. The policy mandates that districts partner with providers to offer these screenings for less than $50 per student.
Why it matters
The Second Chance Act was signed into law in June 2025 following the death of Chance Gainer, who collapsed from an undiagnosed heart condition in 2024. The requirement aims to identify cardiac risk factors in young athletes that might otherwise go undetected.
The Second Chance Act requires that schools establish partnerships to ensure ECG screenings cost less than $50 per student. This requirement applies to all incoming ninth graders and any students in grades 10-12 who are new to Florida High School Athletic Association sports.
The players
Chance Gainer
He was an 18-year-old student-athlete at Port St. Joe High School whose death from an undiagnosed heart condition inspired the new legislation.
Florida High School Athletic Association
This organization oversees high school sports programs in Florida and manages the implementation of athletic regulations.
The details
Families can satisfy the mandate through private insurance, pediatricians, or school-based programs. While the legislation seeks to improve safety, medical experts note that an ECG result is not a total guarantee against all cardiac risks.
Timeline
September 2024: Chance Gainer died after collapsing during a football game.
June 2025: Florida signed the Second Chance Act into law.
2026-27 school year: The ECG requirement took effect for student athletes.
Health Landscape
The Second Chance Act marks a shift toward state-mandated preventative cardiac screening for youth athletics. This legislation follows a trend of increasing medical oversight in high school sports to mirror the safety protocols often found in collegiate and professional leagues.
Parents and student-athletes must now coordinate with their school districts or pediatricians to complete the required heart screening before participating in sports. These screenings are designed to be accessible and affordable through local public and private partnerships.
The takeaway
The new mandate requires families to plan for cardiac testing as a standard part of sports registration. While this helps identify potential heart issues, athletes and parents should continue to monitor for warning signs during physical activity.
Further reading
For additional context on cardiac screenings and preventative measures, visit the Heart Disease section.
More information
Review the full Florida's Second Chance Act and guidance for information on the screening requirements.
Source note: This article includes information reported by SwimSwam.
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