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Jordan McNair Student Athlete Heat Fatality Prevention Act
3/12/2024, 9:21 PM
Summary of Bill S 2081
The main provisions of the bill include requiring schools and athletic programs to implement heat-related safety protocols, such as providing access to cold water, shade, and rest breaks during practices and games. The bill also calls for the training of coaches, athletic trainers, and other staff on recognizing and responding to heat-related illnesses.
Additionally, the bill mandates the establishment of a national registry to track heat-related injuries and fatalities among student athletes, in order to better understand the scope of the issue and identify areas for improvement in prevention efforts. Overall, the Jordan McNair Student Athlete Heat Fatality Prevention Act aims to raise awareness about the dangers of heat-related illnesses in sports and ensure that proper measures are in place to protect the health and safety of student athletes across the country.
Congressional Summary of S 2081
Jordan McNair Student Athlete Heat Fatality Prevention Act
This bill requires each institution of higher education (IHE) that participates in federal student aid programs and is a member of an athletic association or athletic conference to develop and implement a venue-specific heat illness emergency action plan for operating and using automatic external defibrillators and cold-water immersion equipment.
Specifically, each plan must include a symptom identification structure and a coordination of care plan for student athletes exhibiting signs of heat illness that is posted in each locker room, athletic training facility, weight room, and outdoor sports complex and stadium.
Additionally, each plan must
- be made available on the athletic program website or public website of the IHE at the beginning of each academic year;
- be distributed to local emergency responders; and
- be distributed to, and rehearsed in person, by specific individuals (e.g., student athletes, coaches, and athletic trainers) before the start of in-person training for each academic year.
The bill also requires an IHE to submit an annual report that demonstrates compliance with this bill's requirements.

