H.R. 9218

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9218 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 9218

To direct local educational agencies that receive certain Federal funds 
to require students in grades 9 through 12 to receive an 
electrocardiogram and an echocardiogram prior to participating in an 
athletic contest for the first time, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 9, 2026

Mr. Gottheimer (for himself and Mr. Bacon) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To direct local educational agencies that receive certain Federal funds 
to require students in grades 9 through 12 to receive an 
electrocardiogram and an echocardiogram prior to participating in an 
athletic contest for the first time, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as ``Marcus's Law''.

SEC. 2. REQUIRING ELECTROCARDIOGRAMS AND ECHOCARDIOGRAMS FOR HIGH 
SCHOOL STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN ATHLETIC CONTESTS.

(a) Electrocardiogram and Echocardiogram Required.--
(1) In general.--Beginning with school year 2026-2027 and 
in accordance with paragraph (2) and subject to paragraph (3), 
a local educational agency that receives funds under an 
applicable program shall require students served by such agency 
in grades 9 through 12 to receive medical screening prior to 
participating in an athletic contest for the first time.
(2) Period.--A student described in paragraph (1) may 
receive medical screening in accordance with such paragraph at 
any point during the period--
(A) beginning on the date that is the first day of 
the school year in which such student begins grade 9; 
and
(B) ending on the date that is 1 day prior to the 
first time such student participates in an athletic 
contest at any point during grades 9 through 12.
(3) Partnerships.--
(A) In general.--By not later than the first day of 
the first sports season that begins after the date of 
the enactment of this section, a local educational 
agency described in paragraph (1) shall enter into a 
partnership with a public or private entity to offer 
medical screenings required under this section at a 
cost of $20 or less per student.
(B) Waiver.--
(i) In general.--If a local educational 
agency is unable to enter into a partnership 
described in subparagraph (A) with respect to a 
sports season, such agency shall submit to the 
Secretary such information as the Secretary may 
require in order to demonstrate attempts by 
such agency to enter into such a partnership.
(ii) Determination.--If the Secretary 
determines, based on the information submitted 
under clause (i), that a local educational 
agency made sufficient attempts to enter into a 
partnership described in subparagraph (A), the 
Secretary shall waive the requirement under 
paragraph (1) for such agency with respect to 
the sports season described in clause (i).
(iii) Subsequent sports season.--A local 
educational agency that receives a waiver under 
clause (ii) shall attempt to enter into a 
partnership described in subparagraph (A) that 
begins not later than the first day of the 
sports season immediately following the sports 
season for which the waiver applies.
(b) Religious and Medical Exemptions.--A local educational agency 
described in subsection (a)(1) may not require medical screening with 
respect to any student--
(1) for whom such medical screening conflicts with the 
religious tenets and practices of such student or their parent; 
or
(2) who provides documentation from a physician describing 
why such student should not participate in such medical 
screening; or
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Applicable program.--The term ``applicable program'' 
has the meaning given such term in section 400(c) of the 
General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1221(c)).
(2) Athletic contest.--The term ``athletic contest'' means 
a competitive event where athletes or teams compete on behalf 
of a secondary school, including a game, match, meet, or 
tournament.
(3) ESEA terms.--The terms ``local educational agency'' and 
``parent'' have the meanings given such terms in section 8101 
of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 7801).
(4) Medical screening.--The term ``medical screening'' 
means an electrocardiogram and echocardiogram.
<all>