Marcus’s Law

Josh Gottheimer

Democrat · NJ · Representative

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Don Bacon (R-NE-2)Original· 2026-06-09

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

2026-06-09

Source: Congress.gov

Schools that receive federal funding would be required to give high school students heart screening tests—an electrocardiogram and an echocardiogram—before they can participate in sports for the first time. These tests check the heart's electrical activity and structure to catch potential problems that could cause sudden cardiac events during athletic activity. The requirement would apply to students in grades 9 through 12 across the country.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[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>

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