Jordan McNair Student Athlete Heat Fatality Prevention Act
Summary
The Jordan McNair Student Athlete Heat Fatality Prevention Act aims to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. It mandates that institutions of higher education and secondary schools develop and implement venue-specific heat-related illnesses emergency action plans. These plans are designed to prevent heat-related fatalities among student-athletes.
Expected Effects
The act will require schools to create and practice emergency action plans, provide training, and ensure access to necessary equipment like defibrillators and cold water immersion tools. This will likely increase awareness and preparedness for heat-related illnesses in student athletics. Schools will also be required to report on their compliance with these requirements annually.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced safety for student-athletes through comprehensive heat-related illness prevention plans.
- Increased awareness and training for coaches, medical staff, and athletes regarding heat-related illnesses.
- Improved access to life-saving equipment such as automatic external defibrillators and cold water immersion tools.
- Standardized emergency response protocols across institutions, ensuring consistent care.
- Potential reduction in heat-related injuries and fatalities among student-athletes.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased administrative burden and costs for institutions of higher education and secondary schools to develop, implement, and maintain the required emergency action plans.
- Potential for unfunded mandates, requiring schools to allocate resources away from other essential programs.
- Possible legal challenges related to the scope and enforcement of the regulations.
- Risk of inconsistent implementation and enforcement across different institutions and states.
- Could lead to increased insurance costs for schools due to heightened liability concerns.
Constitutional Alignment
The act aligns with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it seeks to protect the health and safety of student-athletes. Specifically, it promotes well-being by mandating preventative measures against heat-related illnesses. The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, but Congress can use its spending power to incentivize states to comply with federal guidelines, as seen in this bill's conditioning of federal funds on compliance.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).