POLICY
Dominic Murray Act
The Dominic Murray Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act was put into effect as of July 1st, 2022. It requires schools to distribute information to students and parents on the signs, symptoms, and risks of cardiac arrest.
Cardiac arrest in children and young adults is rare. However, it is very dangerous. The Dominic Murray Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act was brought to law in memory of Dominic Murray, a seemingly healthy 17 year old who died on a basketball court in 2009, just after having received medical clearance to play college sports. Dominic suffered from a congenital heart defect that went undetected by conventional medical clearance standards.
The law is designed to educate teachers, coaches, students and parents on the signs of cardiac arrest and risk factors for students.
Signs of cardiac arrest
Fainting or seizure, especially during or right after exercise or with excitement or startled
Racing heart, palpitations, or irregular heartbeat
Dizziness, lightheadedness, or extreme fatigue with exercise
Chest pain or discomfort with exercise
Excessive shortness of breath during exercise
Excessive, unexpected fatigue during or after exercise
Risk factors
Use of diet pills, performance-enhancing supplements, energy drinks, or drugs such as cocaine, inhalants, or “recreational” drugs
Elevated blood pressure or cholesterol
History of health care provider ordered test(s) for heart related issues
Family history of heart abnormalities or sudden death before age 50
Family members with unexplained fainting, seizures, drowning, near drowning or car accidents before 50 years of age
Structural heart abnormality, repaired or unrepaired
The Targeting Rule
The Targeting Rule was introduced in 2014 for all levels of football, professional, college and high school, in 2014. It banned both targeting other players’ heads and leading tackles with the top of the head. Instead, players are encouraged to lead with a shoulder and target other players’ torsos, hips, or even legs. This rule helps limit concussions by making sure players tackle and hit other players in a safe way, reducing the risk of both the player getting hit and the player delivering a hit sustaining a head injury.
This 2021 study found that a decrease in high school football related concussions has occurred in the five years after implementation of the rule.
The Concussion Management Awareness Act was passed in New York in 2011, and outlines minimum guidelines regarding the treatment and monitoring of students with possible traumatic brain injuries, including removal from play, physician clearance, and “return to play” protocols. The bill also mandates school districts to create concussion management teams composed of health professionals, sports staff, and appropriate personnel, who are responsible for training education staff in concussion management, and overseeing compliance.
Later in 2019, Governor Cuomo signed in a law that requires schools to distribute information to parents, and educate students about concussion. Schools must also either post this information on their website, or inform parents where they can obtain it.