S1771

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Fred H. Madden and Joseph F. Vitale which would establish the “New Jersey Student Athlete Cardiac Screening Task Force” within the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) received final legislative approval today from the Assembly, with a vote of 73-1-1.

“Today’s vote puts us one step closer to being able to fully address the cardiac needs of student athletes,” said Senator Madden, D-Camden and Gloucester. “This bill has been around for a while, and it is the result of a number of student athletes suffering heart attacks while participating in sporting activities. The Task Force would be responsible for examining current standard screening procedures, and making sure that we have the most advanced technology available for these screenings. So much pressure is put on student athletes to perform well in the classroom and on the field, and through this bill’s provisions, students would receive the necessary screenings and tests to ensure that their hearts are healthy enough to do both.”

“For far too long, heart disease has been treated as a condition that only affects the elderly, overweight, or inactive,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, who Chairs the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. “Over the past few years, we have seen an increasing number of cases of heart conditions in children – conditions that often go unnoticed and untreated until tragedy strikes, because students, parents and athletic coaches are unaware of the necessity for cardiac screening for young athletes. This task force would be responsible for examining and evaluating ways to help put an end to these preventable deaths in student athletes.”

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Fred H. Madden and Joseph F. Vitale which would establish the “New Jersey Student Athlete Cardiac Screening Task Force” within the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) was unanimously approved today by the Senate Education Committee.

“This bill has been around for a while, and in essence, it is the result of a number of student athletes suffering heart attacks while playing sports,” said Senator Madden, D-Camden and Gloucester. “I’ve met with various cardiologists and medical associations, and this bill is designed to put together a task force of cardiac professionals, to examine the current screening process and ensure that we are up to date on the latest methods and technologies involved with these screenings. The bill’s intent is to find the best possible methods to better assess these student athletes.”

“Heart disease doesn’t just affect the elderly, overweight, or inactive,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, who Chairs the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Panel. “We are seeing more and more cases of heart conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy among children, but because these conditions are virtually undetectable without cardiac screening, it is imperative that students undergo these tests before participating in strenuous activities like playing for school sports teams. This task force would be responsible for studying and evaluating ways to help put an end to these preventable deaths in student athletes.”