Jordan McNair Student Athlete Heat Fatality Prevention Act
The Jordan McNair Student Athlete Heat Fatality Prevention Act would require federally funded higher education institutions with athletic programs, and secondary schools receiving federal funds, to create and carry out venue-specific emergency action plans for heat-related illnesses. The plans must address rapid recognition and care for heat illnesses, coordination with local responders, and the use of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) and cold water immersion equipment. Institutions would need to publish and post the plans, share them with local responders, and train and practice the plan with specified staff and personnel before each academic year. The bill also directs the Secretary of Education to promote federal grants for heat illness prevention, training, and equipment. The measure is framed by past incidents like Jordan McNair’s death and emphasizes early recognition, rapid cooling, and standardized response across venues.
Key Points
- 1Mandates venue-specific heat-related illness emergency action plans for:
- 2- Institutions of higher education participating in Title IV programs and affiliated with athletic associations/conferences.
- 3- Secondary schools receiving funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
- 4Plan requirements include:
- 5- Symptom identification and a care coordination plan for heat illness.
- 6- Visible posting in locker rooms, athletic facilities, weight rooms, and outdoor venues.
- 7- Availability on the institution/school website at the start of each academic year.
- 8- Distribution to local emergency responders.
- 9- In-person training before practical training each year for athletes, athletic staff, team physicians, administrators, coaches, safety personnel, and legal counsel (plus other relevant individuals at secondary schools).
- 10Equipment and guidelines:
- 11- Plan should include operation and use of AEDs and cold water immersion equipment.
- 12- Consideration of Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) guidelines for heat stress prevention.
- 13- AEDs should be readily accessible within 3 minutes of each venue (as part of recommendations).
- 14Reporting and oversight:
- 15- Institutions must report annually to the Secretary and authorizing committees on compliance with the plan.
- 16- A one-year implementation deadline after enactment, with ongoing annual updates.
- 17- Provisions allow adjustments for facilities undergoing major renovations affecting implementation.
- 18Funding and promotion:
- 19- The Secretary of Education must inform schools and higher education institutions about federal funds available for prevention, training, and equipment related to heat-related illnesses.