Eric Paredes Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act
Information about AB 1639: Eric Paredes Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act.Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is a leading cause of death among people under age 25. According to the American Heart Association, SCA affects nearly 10,000 youth per year. Many children and parents are unaware they have a potentially fatal heart condition until it is too late. Youth participating in sports are particularly susceptible given SCA is the #1 killer of student athletes. As a result of AB 1639, information on sudden cardiac arrest symptoms and warning signs will be posted to the Internet and a pupil’s parent or guardian will be required to review, sign, and return an acknowledgement of receiving such information before the pupil participates in an athletic activity as specified in California Education Code (EC) 33479. Most importantly, pupils who pass out or faint during or following participation in an athletic activity must be removed from participation until evaluated and cleared in writing by a physician and surgeon, or a nurse practitioner or physician assistant practicing in accordance with standardized procedures or protocols developed by the supervising physician and surgeon and the nurse practitioner or physician assistant.
EC Article 13.5. The Eric Paredes Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act
[33479-33479.9] (Article 13.5 added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 792, Sec. 1.)
Newly Amended Health and Safety Code (HSC):
Sudden cardiac arrest prevention requirements have also been added to the Health and Safety Code for youth sports organizations. The amended Health and Safety Code, Division 106, Article 2.5: now includes, Youth Sports Concussion and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Protocols [124235-124236].
EC Article 2.5 Youth Sports Concussion and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Protocols
[124235-124236] (Article 2.5 amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 174, Sec. 1.)
Each school year, before a pupil participates in an athletic activity governed by the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), the school shall collect and retain a copy of the SCA information sheet required by the CIF for that pupil. Before a pupil participates in an athletic activity not governed by the CIF, the pupil and the pupil’s parent or guardian shall sign and return to the pupil’s school an acknowledgment of receipt.
Parent/Guardian and Pupil Sudden Cardiac Arrest Warning Signs and Symptoms Information and Acknowledgment Form (PDF)
In accordance with the Assembly Bill 1639, the Eric Paredes Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act, the California Department of Education has made an SCA acknowledgment form available for use if a form has not been designated for use by your pupil's school. Before a pupil participates in any school sponsored, athletic activity, the pupil and the pupil’s parent or guardian must review, sign, and return a SCA acknowledgment information sheet to the pupil's school of attendance.
California Interscholastic Federation-Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Guidelines, videos, and other relevant materials related to SCA symptoms and warning signs.
- Free SCA Prevention Training
- NFHS Learning Center Courses
free training for students, coaches, parents, administrators, and officials
- Flyer in English
(PDF) | Flyer in Spanish (PDF)
- SCA Fact Sheet for Sports Clearance
- Warning Signs of SCA
(PDF)
- Call Push Shock
(PDF)
- Risks and Symptoms (PDF)
- Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
- A Parents Guide to SCA Video
(Video; 6:22)
Letter from Tom Torlakson
Letter from former State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson outlining public and private school responsibilities under the Eric Paredes Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act.
Eric Paredes Save A Life Foundation
Information about Eric Paredes and Free Youth Heart Screening.
American Heart Association
Information on SCA.