June 9, 2026
Mr. Gottheimer (for himself and Mr. Bacon) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce
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.
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.