The post Florida student athletes get a Second Chance as heart screening law takes effect appeared first on Florida Politics – Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government..
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A new law requiring Florida’s high school student athletes to undergo heart screenings before taking the field is now in effect, delivering on a promise born from tragedy in one of the state’s smallest communities.
The Second Chance Act, which took effect July 1, requires all high school student athletes to receive a medical evaluation — including an electrocardiogram (EKG) — before participating in school-sanctioned sports.
HB 1135 was sponsored by Rep. Jason Shoaf and carried in the Senate by Sen. Corey Simon during the 2025 Legislative Session. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the measure last Summer.
The law is named for Chance Gainer, a star athlete at Port St. Joe High School who collapsed and died from sudden cardiac arrest during a rivalry football game.
“Today marks more than just the start of a new law, it marks a promise kept,” said Shoaf, a Port St. Joe Republican.
“Chance Gainer was a son, teammate and a bright light in our small, tightly knit community. His parents, Equila and JJ, turned this unimaginable grief into action and I am honored to have stood by their side every step of the way. The Second Chance Act is a promise to every parent in Florida that we will do our best to protect their children.”
Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death among student athletes, accounting for roughly 75% of student athlete deaths. Research shows 1 in every 300 students could have an undiagnosed, potentially life-threatening heart condition — and for 80% of them, cardiac arrest is the first symptom. Early detection through EKG screening allows those conditions to be caught before they turn deadly.
PanCare of Florida, in partnership with Who We Play For, is offering free sports physicals and heart screenings to student athletes across the region.
“Who We Play For is run on a simple belief that no family should have to face the same tragedies the Gainer family did, specifically in circumstances that could be prevented with proper precautionary actions,” said Evan Ernst, Founder and CEO of Who We Play For.
“The Second Chance Act represents the state-wide commitment we need to make these heart screenings accessible to every student athlete in our state. We are proud to partner with Representative Shoaf and the Gainer family to make sure Chance’s legacy lives on.”
With Fall practices approaching, families are encouraged to schedule their child’s required sports physical as soon as possible. Information on free EKG screening events is available here.
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Ed. note: This story was drafted with assistance from AI. Editorial judgment, sourcing, and final review were performed by Peter Schorsch and the Florida Politics editorial team.
The post Florida student athletes get a Second Chance as heart screening law takes effect appeared first on Florida Politics – Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government..
