AB 379: Concussion and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Protocols

In January 2019 Assemblyman Brian Maienschein, 77th District, introduced AB 379 to extend the sudden cardiac arrest prevention protocol in effect for school-sponsored sports activities to community youth sports programs. Co-sponsored by the Eric Paredes Save A Life Foundation and the California Athletic Trainers, this bill was passed by the California State Legislature and will take effect January 2020.

Currently, AB 1639 (2015), the Eric Paredes Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act enacted new SCA prevention protocol for school-sponsored athletic activities.

Further, AB 2007 (2016) required youth sports organizations to follow certain concussion protocol that helps to educate families about head injuries, train coaches about best practices for head injuries and protect young athletes suspected of having a concussion.

AB379 now requires the same protocols used for concussions in youth and high school sports to be used to help protect young athletes participating in school and community youth sports organizations from sudden cardiac arrest—the #1 killer of young athletes. Community youth sports organizations include an organization, business, nonprofit entity, or a local governmental agency that sponsors or conducts amateur sports competitions, training, camps, or clubs in which persons 17 years of age or younger participate.

Compliance with the law includes:
• All youth sports leagues, camps and clubs must immediately remove an athlete from an athletic activity who faints, or who is suspected of experiencing warning signs that appear to be cardiovascular related until the youth can be cleared to play by a licensed health care provider trained in the management of cardiac conditions.

• Parents and youth annually review information about warning signs and risk factors of sudden cardiac arrest and how to respond to a cardiac emergency.

• Administrators, coaches and sports officials complete a sudden cardiac arrest prevention training course.

Co-Authors: Assembly Members Tom Lackey, Kevin McCarty, Eloise Reyes and Freddy Rodriguez, Senators Ling Ling Chang, Anthony Portantino and Jeff Stone

Supporters include: Association of California School Administrators, Boys & Girl’s Club, California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD), California Orthopedic Association, California PTA, California School Nurses Organization, California State Association of Counties, Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation, Cardiac Science, City of Beverly Hills, City of Culver City, City of Los Angeles, City of San Diego, County of San Diego, Consumer Attorneys of California, Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians, Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake, Heartbeat of Champions Foundation, LA Galaxy, Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians, Los Angeles Unified School District, Olivia’s Heart Project, Parent Heart Watch, Revive Solutions, Saving Hearts Foundation, San Diego State University Institute of Public Health, Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association, Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, Travis Roy Foundation and Via Heart Project.


Sudden Cardiac Arrest is a heart attack.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest can happen at any age.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest can happen in seemingly healthy youth.
A stethoscope used at annual well-child exams and PPEs is a comprehensive assessment of a young heart.
Fainting is the number one sign of a potential heart condition.
If your youth has never complained about any of the possible warning signs, they definitely are not experiencing them.
Athletes who faint or pass out can just be given water or rest and then can continue to play.
Youth often don’t report warning signs because they don’t want look like they’re not keeping up.
For youth living with a heart condition most of their life, any symptoms they experience might seem normal because they’ve always felt that way.
When a person has a Sudden Cardiac Arrest, their heart has stopped.
CPR alone can revive a person in Sudden Cardiac Arrest.
Anyone can use an AED (automated external defibrillator)—no training is necessary.
A shock from an AED is the only way to restart a heart that has stopped beating.
EMS will always arrive in time to assist with a cardiac emergency so bystanders should wait for their guidance.

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FREE Resources To Comply

What the laws mandates:

  • Get SCA Fact Sheets for Sports Packets—available in 9 languages
  • Find online training for coaches and sports officials
  • Overview new removal/return to play protocol
  • SCA Sideline Action Plan
  • Videos and handouts for team meetings

AB379 Signed by Governor 8/30/2019