Florida High School Athletes Now Require ECG Screenings
New state law requires incoming athletes to complete cardiac screenings before participating in sanctioned sports.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Heart Disease
Live Poll
Do you support mandatory heart screenings for all high school student athletes in your area?
Florida now mandates electrocardiogram (ECG) screenings for high school athletes under the newly implemented Second Chance Act. The requirement, which began for the 2026-27 school year, applies to incoming ninth graders and students new to sanctioned sports.
Why it matters
The law aims to identify previously undetected heart conditions in young athletes to prevent sudden cardiac events. It was enacted following the death of student athlete Chance Gainer, who collapsed during a football game in 2024.
Florida now requires ECG screenings for student athletes, with districts tasked to secure services for under $50 per student. While these tests help screen for cardiac risks, it is known that an ECG result does not eliminate all potential cardiac risks for athletes.
The players
Chance Gainer
A high school athlete whose death from an undiagnosed heart condition inspired the new legislation.
The details
An electrocardiogram records the electrical activity of the heart to help clinicians detect abnormalities that could lead to sudden collapse. Families can access these screenings through pediatricians, private insurance, or district-organized programs. Because the test provides a limited snapshot of heart health, it is meant to function as one component of a broader cardiac risk evaluation for students.
Timeline
September 2024: Chance Gainer died after collapsing during a football game.
June 2025: The Second Chance Act was signed into law.
2026-27 school year: The ECG requirement took effect for Florida student athletes.
Health Landscape
The Second Chance Act establishes a specific state mandate for cardiac screening that marks a shift in how Florida addresses youth athlete safety. This policy moves beyond traditional pre-participation physicals by requiring specialized heart-rhythm monitoring for school-aged participants.
Parents of student athletes should contact their school district to determine the availability of local, reduced-cost screening programs. If your child is participating in sports, it is worth discussing the scope and limitations of an ECG as a diagnostic tool with your pediatrician.
The takeaway
While mandatory ECGs represent a new layer of screening for Florida athletes, they do not guarantee the detection of every heart condition. Always discuss your student's specific health history and any symptoms, such as fainting or chest pain, with a primary care physician.
Further reading
Learn more about youth cardiac health in our Heart Disease section.
More information
For more information on the implementation of the law, review Florida's Second Chance Act and guidance.
Source note: This article includes information reported by SwimSwam.
Live Poll
Do you support mandatory heart screenings for all high school student athletes in your area?
