Second Chance Act (Athletic Heart Screenings) CLARIFICATION/CORRECTION

Good morning,
After some legal review of the new Second Chance Act (SB 1070), we need to make some clarifications and corrections as it relates to students receiving EKG's prior to athletic competition in grades 9-12.

The Second Chance Act, officially Senate Bill 1070, was signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis and takes effect July 1, 2026. It mandates that all students in grades 9–12 who wish to participate in Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) sanctioned sports must have an EKG screening on file before their first athletic participation. Returning athletes are strongly encouraged, though not required, to obtain a screening if they have not had one in the past two years.  The law is named in honor of Chance Gainer, a Florida high school football player who died in 2024 from an undiagnosed heart condition, highlighting the importance of early detection.

Students who have already participated in FHSAA sanctioned sports at LCHS or another high school do NOT have to have a heart screening.  All incoming 9th graders and any 10th-12th graders who have NOT participated in a FHSAA sport in high school WILL have to have the required heart screening to participate in sports at LCHS.  Pancare provided free athletic physicals and heart screenings the last few weeks of school.  We are working with Pancare to get their health bus back to catch the students who may have missed the physicals and heart screenings.  We will announce those dates soon.  Again, we HIGHLY ENCOURAGE every student athlete to get a heart screening, and we have been blessed to have these provided for FREE through Pancare.  

Earlier information stated every student athlete would need a heart screening, and that was incorrect.  My apologies!!  I will be in touch once we secure dates from Pancare.

Sincerely,
Kyle Peddie
Liberty County Superintendent of Schools