Existing law establishes a system of public elementary and secondary schools operated by local educational agencies throughout this state. Existing law authorizes public and private secondary schools to participate in interscholastic sports, and authorizes schools to enter into associations or consortia to enact and enforce rules relating to eligibility for, and participation in, these activities.

If a school district or charter school elects to offer any interscholastic athletic program, existing law requires the governing entity of the school district or charter school to ensure that there is a written emergency action plan in place that describes the location and procedures to be followed in the event of sudden cardiac arrest or other medical emergencies related to the athletic programs activities or events.

This bill would require the written emergency action plan to also include the location and procedures to be followed in the event of heat illness related to the athletic programs activities or events, as provided. The bill would also require the California Interscholastic Federation, in consultation with the State Department of Education, to, no later than July 1, 2024, develop guidelines, procedures, and safety standards for the prevention and management of exertional heat illness, as provided.

This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 35179.4 of the Education Code proposed by AB 245 to be operative only if this bill and AB 245 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.

Existing law establishes a system of public elementary and secondary schools operated by local educational agencies throughout this state. Existing law authorizes public and private secondary schools to participate in interscholastic sports, and authorizes schools to enter into associations or consortia to enact and enforce rules relating to eligibility for, and participation in, these activities.

If a school district or charter school elects to offer any interscholastic athletic program, existing law requires the governing entity of the school district or charter school to ensure that there is a written emergency action plan in place that describes the location and procedures to be followed in the event of sudden cardiac arrest or other medical emergencies related to the athletic programs activities or events.

This bill would require the written emergency action plan to also include the location and procedures to be followed in the event of heat illness related to the athletic programs activities or events, as provided. The bill would also require the California Interscholastic Federation, in consultation with the State Department of Education, to, no later than July 1, 2024, develop guidelines, procedures, and safety standards for the prevention and management of exertional heat illness, as provided.

This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 35179.4 of the Education Code proposed by AB 245 to be operative only if this bill and AB 245 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.

Existing law establishes a system of public elementary and secondary schools operated by local educational agencies throughout this state. Existing law authorizes public and private secondary schools to participate in interscholastic sports, and authorizes schools to enter into associations or consortia to enact and enforce rules relating to eligibility for, and participation in, these activities.

If a school district or charter school elects to offer any interscholastic athletic program, existing law requires the governing entity of the school district or charter school to ensure that there is a written emergency action plan in place that describes the location and procedures to be followed in the event of sudden cardiac arrest or other medical emergencies related to the athletic programs activities or events.

This bill would require the written emergency action plan to also include the location and procedures to be followed in the event of heat illness related to the athletic programs activities or events. events, as provided. The bill would also require the California Interscholastic Federation, in consultation with the State Department of Education, to, no later than July 1, 2024, develop guidelines, procedures, and safety standards for the prevention and management of exertional heat illness, as provided.

Existing law establishes a system of public elementary and secondary schools operated by local educational agencies throughout this state. Existing law authorizes public and private secondary schools to participate in interscholastic sports, and authorizes schools to enter into associations or consortia to enact and enforce rules relating to eligibility for, and participation in, these activities.

If a school district or charter school elects to offer any interscholastic athletic program, existing law requires the governing entity of the school district or charter school to ensure that there is a written emergency action plan in place that describes the location and procedures to be followed in the event of sudden cardiac arrest or other medical emergencies related to the athletic programs activities or events.

This bill would require the written emergency action plan to also include the location and procedures to be followed in the event of heat illness related to the athletic programs activities or events. The bill would also require the California Interscholastic Federation, in consultation with the State Department of Education, to, no later than July 1, 2024, develop guidelines, procedures, and safety standards for monitoring the safety of practice and play when wet bulb globe thermometer readings reach specified levels, the prevention and management of exertional heat illness, as provided.

Existing law establishes a system of public elementary and secondary schools operated by local educational agencies throughout this state. Existing law authorizes public and private secondary schools to participate in interscholastic sports, and authorizes schools to enter into associations or consortia to enact and enforce rules relating to eligibility for, and participation in, these activities.

If a school district or charter school elects to offer any interscholastic athletic program, existing law requires the governing entity of the school district or charter school to ensure that there is a written emergency action plan in place that describes the location and procedures to be followed in the event of sudden cardiac arrest or other medical emergencies related to the athletic programs activities or events.

This bill would require the written emergency action plan to also include the location and procedures to be followed in the event of heat stroke heat illness related to the athletic programs activities or events. The bill would also require the California Interscholastic Federation, in consultation with the State Department of Education, to, no later than July 1, 2024, develop guidelines, procedures, and safety standards for monitoring the safety of practice and play when wet bulb globe thermometer readings reach specified levels, as provided.

Existing law establishes a system of public elementary and secondary schools operated by local educational agencies throughout this state. Existing law authorizes public and private secondary schools to participate in interscholastic sports, and authorizes schools to enter into associations or consortia to enact and enforce rules relating to eligibility for, and participation in, these activities.

If a school district or charter school elects to offer any interscholastic athletic program, existing law requires the governing entity of the school district or charter school to ensure that there is a written emergency action plan in place that describes the location and procedures to be followed in the event of sudden cardiac arrest or other medical emergencies related to the athletic programs activities or events.

This bill would require the written emergency action plan to also include the location and procedures to be followed in the event of heat stroke related to the athletic programs activities or events.

CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS

CSA1 Bill Id:AB 1653

Author:(Sanchez)

As Amended Ver:September 8, 2023

Majority vote

SUMMARY

Requires the California Interscholastic Foundation (CIF), in consultation with the California Department of Education (CDE), to develop guidelines, procedures and safety standards for monitoring the safety of practice and play when wet bulb globe thermometer (WBGT) readings reach specified levels, no later than July 1, 2024; and requires the governing board of the school district or the governing body of the charter school to ensure that there is a written emergency action plan in place that describes the location and procedures to be followed in the event of heat illness related to the athletic program's activities or events.

Senate Amendments

Require concurrent enactment with AB 247 (McKinnor) to require, by July 1, 2024, the school emergency action plan to include a description of the manner and frequency at which the procedures to be followed in the event of sudden cardiac arrest and other medical emergencies, including concussion and heat illness will be rehearsed.

COMMENTS

Emergency action plans. Existing law requires, if a school district or charter school elects to offer any interscholastic athletic program, the governing board of the school district or the governing body of the charter school to ensure that there is a written emergency action plan in place that describes the location and procedures to be followed in the event of sudden cardiac arrest and other medical emergencies related to the athletic program's activities or events. Currently law requires the written emergency action plan to be posted in compliance with the most recent pertinent guidelines of the National Federation of State High School Associations. This bill adds heat stroke to the list of items included in the written emergency action plan.

Practice/play policy using wet bulb globe thermometer readings. According to the National Weather Service, a WBGT is a measure of the heat stress in direct sunlight, which takes into account: temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle, and cloud cover (solar radiation). This differs from the heat index, which takes into consideration temperature and humidity and is calculated for shady areas.

Using a WBGT monitor on-site provides more accurate data than that from the National Weather Service and can help athletic programs to dictate modifications in activity (work/rest ratios, hydration breaks, equipment work, length of practice) that make sports safer for all participants.  

Research indicates that when establishing WBGT guidelines for physical activity, the guidelines must be geographic specific. For example, an athlete playing football in Louisiana may be accustomed to warm environmental conditions, unlike a football player from Maine. A football player practicing in 90°F temperatures in Louisiana could be comfortable whereas a football player practicing in the same conditions in Maine could be experiencing the worst conditions they have felt all year, which would increase the risk of heat illness. (University of Connecticut Korey Stringer Institute)

Researchers established heat safety regions to address the differences in heat acclimation among residents in these areas. Below is a map of the United States heat safety zones that can be used to read the activity guideline chart. Using the heat safety zones, along with readings from a wet bulb globe thermometer, the following recommendations were established by the University of Connecticut Korey Stringer Institute.

According to the Author

"Heat illness has become a leading cause of death for our student athletes. Parents and schools need all the tools they can to help ensure student athletes are able to practice and play their sports under reasonably safe conditions. That's why I've introduced AB 1653, to help provide schools with more tools to be better prepared for emergencies related to heat illness."

Arguments in Support

CleanEarth4Kids.org states, "Heat illness can progress quickly in athletes and early warning signs of heat stroke can be subtle. Heat strokes are a very dangerous medical emergency as body and brain cells begin to die when the core temperature is very high. Early recognition and rapid treatment of an evolving heat stroke can save lives. Many environmental and personal factors contribute to heat stroke so being prepared with a written emergency action plan in the case of heat illness should be required for all schools."

Arguments in Opposition

None on file

FISCAL COMMENTS

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:

1. This bill could result in one-time Proposition 98 General Fund costs for schools follow any new regulations that are developed by the CIF. Specifically, schools may need to purchase a Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) and whole-body cooling mechanisms to comply with the new regulations to maintain their CIF membership. A WBGT can cost between $500 and $600, while a whole-body cooling mechanism can be in the low hundreds of dollars. Depending on the number of schools that would need to purchase WBGTs and whole-body cooling mechanisms, statewide costs could be the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Schools may also incur one-time Proposition 98 General Fund costs to update their existing emergency action plans to include any new procedures related to heat illness. However, these costs are expected to be minor.
2. Any costs to the CIF and CDE to develop the guidelines are anticipated to be minor and absorbable within existing resources.

VOTES:

ASM EDUCATION: 6-0-1

YES: Muratsuchi, Megan Dahle, Juan Carrillo, Hoover, Lee, Quirk-Silva

ABS, ABST OR NV: McCarty

ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 15-0-1

YES: Holden, Megan Dahle, Bryan, Calderon, Wendy Carrillo, Dixon, Mike Fong, Hart, Lowenthal, Mathis, Papan, Pellerin, Sanchez, Weber, Ortega

ABS, ABST OR NV: Robert Rivas

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 80-0-0

YES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Cervantes, Chen, Connolly, Megan Dahle, Davies, Dixon, Essayli, Flora, Mike Fong, Vince Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Holden, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones‑Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, Mathis, McCarty, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Robert Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Weber, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Zbur, Rendon

SENATE FLOOR: 39-0-1

YES: Allen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Ashby, Atkins, Becker, Blakespear, Bradford, Cortese, Dahle, Dodd, Durazo, Eggman, Glazer, Gonzalez, Grove, Hurtado, Jones, Laird, Limón, McGuire, Menjivar, Min, Newman, Nguyen, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Padilla, Portantino, Roth, Rubio, Seyarto, Skinner, Smallwood-Cuevas, Stern, Umberg, Wahab, Wiener, Wilk

ABS, ABST OR NV: Caballero

UPDATED

VERSION: September 8, 2023

CONSULTANT: Chelsea Kelley / ED. / (916) 319-2087 FN: 0002403

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: AB 1653

Author: Sanchez (R)

Amended: 9/8/23 in Senate

Vote: 21

SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE: 7-0, 6/28/23

AYES: Newman, Ochoa Bogh, Cortese, Glazer, McGuire, Smallwood-Cuevas, Wilk

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 9/1/23

AYES: Portantino, Jones, Ashby, Bradford, Seyarto, Wahab, Wiener

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 80-0, 5/31/23 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: Interscholastic athletic programs: emergency action plans: heat illness: guidelines

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This bill requires the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), in consultation with the California Department of California (CDE), to develop guidelines, procedures, and safety standards for the prevention and management of exertional heat illness, as specified, by July 1, 2024.

Senate Amendments of 9/8/23 incorporate amendments to Section 35179.4 of the Education Code proposed by both this bill and AB 245 (McKinnor, 2023). That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2024, (2) each bill amends Section 35179.4 of the Education Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 245, in which case Section 1 of this bill shall not become operative.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Requires each high school sports coach to complete a coaching education program developed by their school district or the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) that meets the guidelines outlined in the California High School Coaching Education and Training Program (CHSCTP). (Education Code (EC) § 49032)
2. States that the Legislature intends that school districts administer CHSCTP and emphasizes the following components:
   1. Development of coaching philosophies consistent with school, school district, and governing board of a school district goals.
   2. Sport psychology: emphasizing communication, reinforcement of pupils’ efforts, effective delivery of coaching regarding technique and motivation of the pupil athlete.
   3. Sport pedagogy: how pupil athletes learn and how to teach sports skills.
   4. Sport physiology: principles of training, sports fitness, development of a training program, nutrition for athletes, and the harmful effects of using steroids and performance-enhancing dietary supplements by adolescents.
   5. Sport management: team management, risk management, and working within a school program context.
   6. Training: certification in CPR and first aid, including, but not limited to, a basic understanding of the signs and symptoms of concussions and heat illness and the appropriate response to concussions and heat illness. Concussion or heat illness training may be fulfilled through entities offering free, online, or other training courses. “Heat illness” includes cramps, syncope, exhaustion, and exertional heat stroke.
   7. Knowledge of and adherence to statewide rules and regulations, as well as school regulations, including, but not necessarily limited to, eligibility, gender equity, and discrimination.
   8. Sound planning and goal setting. (EC § 35179.1(c))
3. Specifies that the CHSCTP does not endorse a particular coaching education or training program. (EC § 35179.1)
4. Requires a local education agency (LEA) or charter school that elects to offer any interscholastic athletic program, the governing board of the school district or the governing body of the charter school shall ensure that there is a written emergency action plan in place that describes the location and procedures to be followed in the event of sudden cardiac arrest and other medical emergencies related to the athletic program’s activities or events. (EC § 35179.4.)

This bill:

1. Requires CIF, in consultation with CDE, to develop guidelines, procedures, and safety standards for the prevention and management of exertional heat illness no later than July 1, 2024.
2. Specifies guidelines developed by CIF must identify the environmental conditions at which a school shall limit and prohibit the practice and play and include information regarding the accurate measurement of environmental heat stress at the site of the athletic activity, including the use of Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) to determine ambient temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation from the sun, including sun angle and cloud cover.

Comments

1. Need for the bill. According to the author, “Heat illness has become a leading cause of death for our student athletes. Parents and schools need all the tools they can to help ensure student athletes are able to practice and play their sports under reasonably safe conditions. That’s why I’ve introduced AB 1653, to help provide schools with more tools to be better prepared for emergencies related to heat illness.”
2. What is Heat Illness? Heat Illness is a severe medical condition resulting from the body's inability to cope with a particular heat load and includes heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat syncope, and heat stroke. 

According to the Department of Industrial Relations, “Humans must maintain their internal body temperature within a few degrees above or below 98.6° F. People suffer from heat illness when their bodies cannot get rid of excess heat and adequately cool. The body loses its "heat balance" because it can not shed heat quickly enough.

The blood vessels get more significant when the body overheats and the heart beats faster and harder. More blood flows to the outer layers of the skin from the internal "core" so that the heat can be released into the cooler outside environment. If this process does not cool the body fast enough, or the outside air is warmer than the skin, the brain triggers sweating to cool the body. Sweat glands in the skin draw water from the bloodstream, making sweat. The sweat evaporates and releases the heat from the body. During an hour of heavy work in hot weather, the body can easily sweat out one quart of water.

Shifting blood to outer body layers (the "shell") causes less blood to go to the brain, muscles, and other organs (the "core"). Prolonged sweating can deplete the body of water and salt, causing dehydration. Muscle cramping may occur because the body loses water and the salts needed for the muscles to work. The physiological strain on the body from heat illness may cause the person to become dehydrated, weak, tired, and confused.

As dehydration worsens, the body can no longer keep its temperature within the normal range, sweating stops and severe heat illness occurs. In heatstroke, the person’s body temperature rises rapidly, damaging the brain, muscles, and vital organs, causing death.”

On June 1, 2018, AB 2800 (Chu, Chapter 21, Statutes of 2018) was signed into law by Governor Brown, which requires that coaches when renewing their CPR/FIRST AID, Concussion and Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) certification also complete separate training in the signs and symptoms of heat illness. Information about heat illness (prevention and treatment) can be found on CIF’s website.

According to CIF’s 2022-23 Constitution and Bylaws, “A student-athlete who exhibits signs of heat illness while participating in, or immediately following, an athletic activity must be removed immediately from participating in a practice or game for the remainder of the day. A student-athlete who has been removed from play after displaying signs and symptoms associated with heat illness may not return to play until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed health care provider and receives written clearance to return to play from that health care provider. On a yearly basis, a Heat Illness information sheet shall be signed and returned by all athletes and the athlete’s parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver before the athlete’s initial practice or competition.” (Article 50, Bylaw 503(K)).

1. How Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Can Help Prevent Heat Illness. According to the National Weather Service, “WBGT is a measure of the heat stress in direct sunlight, which takes into account: temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle, and cloud cover (solar radiation). This differs from the heat index, which considers temperature and humidity and is calculated for shady areas.”

As environmental temperature and humidity increase, there is an increase in the heat stress that is placed on the exercising individual. Exercise in the heat causes athletes to rely on the evaporation of sweat from the skin as the primary method of dissipating heat produced by the working muscles. As humidity increases, the ability to dissipate heat through evaporation is further hindered, thus causing the body to have an increased body temperature, which increases the risk of heat illness.

According to CIF’s website, “Coaches should ideally be aware of the Web Bulb Globe Temperature which measures not only temperature and humidity (the "heat index") but also wind speed, sun angle, and cloud cover. The WBGT is the most accurate measure of environmental heat stress. For example, the higher the temperature and humidity, with minimal wind and cloud cover, and with the sun directly overhead at 12 noon, the higher the WBGT and the more difficult for the body to cool itself. Knowing the WGBT using a device or an estimation (go to "Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Monitoring" will guide precautions for athletic activity. Athletes with heat illness risk factors should be closely supervised during strenuous activities, especially in hot and/or humid conditions.”

1. Training Requirements Currently Set By CIF. According to CIF’s website, “The purpose of the CIF Coaching Education Program is to enhance student-athletes experience by assuring their coaches meet a minimum level of professional training. The program provides strong, pragmatic, and comprehensive instruction for coaches of interscholastic athletics in California consistent with the highest national standards set by the legislature, CDE, CIF, and National Federation of State High School Associations.”

The prior requirements for coaching high school sports in California:

• A General Coaching Education Course;
• A Concussion Course;
• Sudden Cardiac Arrest;
• Heat Acclimatization Course; and
• First Aid and CPR Certification.

Courses to meet these requirements are posted on CIF’s website. Training is provided by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFSH), Human Kinetics Coach Education (HKCE), and the American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP) websites. In addition to the requirements above, cheer coaches must complete the Cheer and Dance Safety Certification course through the NFHS and USA Cheer.

1. Who Receives Training? Existing law requires each high school sports coach to complete a coaching education program developed by their school district or the CIF that meets the guidelines outlined in the CHSCTP. Additionally, CIF Bylaw 22.B. (9) defines a coach, either paid or unpaid, as “any individual that the school/district is required to approve under California Education Code 33190-33192, 45125.01 and 45125.1.” According to the CIF, “Simply stated, the law applies to anyone who must be fingerprinted and is approved by their local school board/directors to have contact with students. This applies to all CIF member schools, public and private.”

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 9/8/23)

None received

OPPOSITION: (Verified 9/8/23)

None received

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 80-0, 5/31/23

AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Cervantes, Chen, Connolly, Megan Dahle, Davies, Dixon, Essayli, Flora, Mike Fong, Vince Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Holden, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, Mathis, McCarty, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Robert Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Weber, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Zbur, Rendon

Prepared by: Kordell Hampton / ED. / (916) 651-4105

9/11/23 18:17:22

**** END ****

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: AB 1653

Author: Sanchez (R)

Amended: 3/30/23 in Assembly

Vote: 21

SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE: 7-0, 6/28/23

AYES: Newman, Ochoa Bogh, Cortese, Glazer, McGuire, Smallwood-Cuevas, Wilk

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 9/1/23

AYES: Portantino, Jones, Ashby, Bradford, Seyarto, Wahab, Wiener

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 80-0, 5/31/23 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: Interscholastic athletic programs: emergency action plans: heat illness: guidelines

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This bill requires the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), in consultation with the California Department of California (CDE), to develop guidelines, procedures, and safety standards for the prevention and management of exertional heat illness, as specified, by July 1, 2024

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Requires each high school sports coach to complete a coaching education program developed by their school district or the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) that meets the guidelines outlined in the California High School Coaching Education and Training Program (CHSCTP). (Education Code (EC) § 49032)
2. States that the Legislature intends that school districts administer CHSCTP and emphasizes the following components:
   1. Development of coaching philosophies consistent with school, school district, and governing board of a school district goals.
   2. Sport psychology: emphasizing communication, reinforcement of pupils’ efforts, effective delivery of coaching regarding technique and motivation of the pupil athlete.
   3. Sport pedagogy: how pupil athletes learn and how to teach sports skills.
   4. Sport physiology: principles of training, sports fitness, development of a training program, nutrition for athletes, and the harmful effects of using steroids and performance-enhancing dietary supplements by adolescents.
   5. Sport management: team management, risk management, and working within a school program context.
   6. Training: certification in CPR and first aid, including, but not limited to, a basic understanding of the signs and symptoms of concussions and heat illness and the appropriate response to concussions and heat illness. Concussion or heat illness training may be fulfilled through entities offering free, online, or other training courses. “Heat illness” includes cramps, syncope, exhaustion, and exertional heat stroke.
   7. Knowledge of and adherence to statewide rules and regulations, as well as school regulations, including, but not necessarily limited to, eligibility, gender equity, and discrimination.
   8. Sound planning and goal setting. (EC § 35179.1(c))
3. Specifies that the CHSCTP does not endorse a particular coaching education or training program. (EC § 35179.1)
4. Requires an LEA or charter school that elects to offer any interscholastic athletic program, the governing board of the school district or the governing body of the charter school shall ensure that there is a written emergency action plan in place that describes the location and procedures to be followed in the event of sudden cardiac arrest and other medical emergencies related to the athletic program’s activities or events. (EC § 35179.4.)

This bill:

1. Requires CIF, in consultation with CDE, to develop guidelines, procedures, and safety standards for the prevention and management of exertional heat illness.no later than July 1, 2024.
2. Specifies guidelines developed by CIF must identify the environmental conditions at which a school shall limit and prohibit the practice and play and include information regarding the accurate measurement of environmental heat stress at the site of the athletic activity, including the use of Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) to determine ambient temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation from the sun, including sun angle and cloud cover.
3. Specifies that the guidelines developed by CIF must identify the environmental conditions at which a school shall have a method to institute whole-body cooling to treat a student-athlete with exertional heat illness, especially heat stroke, that is easily accessible at all practice and contest venues.

Comments

1. Need for the bill. According to the author, “Heat illness has become a leading cause of death for our student athletes. Parents and schools need all the tools they can to help ensure student athletes are able to practice and play their sports under reasonably safe conditions. That’s why I’ve introduced AB 1653, to help provide schools with more tools to be better prepared for emergencies related to heat illness.”
2. What is Heat Illness? Heat Illness is a severe medical condition resulting from the body's inability to cope with a particular heat load and includes heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat syncope, and heat stroke 

What Happens to the Body? According to the Department of Industrial Relations, “Humans must maintain their internal body temperature within a few degrees above or below 98.6° F. People suffer from heat illness when their bodies cannot get rid of excess heat and adequately cool. The body loses its "heat balance" because it can not shed heat quickly enough.

The blood vessels get more significant when the body overheats and the heart beats faster and harder. More blood flows to the outer layers of the skin from the internal "core" so that the heat can be released into the cooler outside environment. If this process does not cool the body fast enough, or the outside air is warmer than the skin, the brain triggers sweating to cool the body. Sweat glands in the skin draw water from the bloodstream, making sweat. The sweat evaporates and releases the heat from the body. During an hour of heavy work in hot weather, the body can easily sweat out one quart of water.

Shifting blood to outer body layers (the "shell") causes less blood to go to the brain, muscles, and other organs (the "core"). Prolonged sweating can deplete the body of water and salt, causing dehydration. Muscle cramping may occur because the body loses water and the salts needed for the muscles to work. The physiological strain on the body from heat illness may cause the person to become dehydrated, weak, tired, and confused.

As dehydration worsens, the body can no longer keep its temperature within the normal range, sweating stops and severe heat illness occurs. In heatstroke, the person’s body temperature rises rapidly, damaging the brain, muscles, and vital organs, causing death.”

On June 1, 2018, AB 2800 (Chu, Chapter 21, Statutes of 2018) - was signed into law by Governor Brown, which requires coaches, when renewing their CPR/FIRST AID, Concussion and Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) certification that they also complete separate training in the signs and symptoms of heat illness. Information about heat illness (prevention and treatment) can be found on CIF’s website.

According to CIF’s 2022-23 Constitution and Bylaws, “A student-athlete who exhibits signs of heat illness while participating in, or immediately following, an athletic activity must be removed immediately from participating in a practice or game for the remainder of the day. A student-athlete who has been removed from play after displaying signs and symptoms associated with heat illness may not return to play until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed health care provider and receives written clearance to return to play from that health care provider. On a yearly basis, a Heat Illness information sheet shall be signed and returned by all athletes and the athlete’s parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver before the athlete’s initial practice or competition.”(Article 50, Bylaw 503(K)).

1. How Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Can Help Prevent Heat Illness. According to the National Weather Service, “WBGT is a measure of the heat stress in direct sunlight, which takes into account: temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle, and cloud cover (solar radiation). This differs from the heat index, which considers temperature and humidity and is calculated for shady areas.”

As environmental temperature and humidity increase, there is an increase in the heat stress that is placed on the exercising individual. Exercise in the heat causes athletes to rely on the evaporation of sweat from the skin as the primary method of dissipating heat produced by the working muscles. As humidity increases, the ability to dissipate heat through evaporation is further hindered, thus causing the body to have an increased body temperature, which increases the risk of heat illness.

According to CIF’s website, “Coaches should ideally be aware of the Web Bulb Globe Temperature which measures not only temperature and humidity (the "heat index") but also wind speed, sun angle, and cloud cover. The WBGT is the most accurate measure of environmental heat stress. For example, the higher the temperature and humidity, with minimal wind and cloud cover, and with the sun directly overhead at 12 noon, the higher the WBGT and the more difficult for the body to cool itself. Knowing the WGBT using a device or an estimation (go to "Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Monitoring" below) will guide precautions for athletic activity. Athletes with heat illness risk factors should be closely supervised during strenuous activities, especially in hot and/or humid conditions.”

1. Training Requirements Currently Set By CIF. According to CIF’s website, “The purpose of the CIF Coaching Education Program is to enhance student-athletes experience by assuring their coaches meet a minimum level of professional training. The program provides strong, pragmatic, and comprehensive instruction for coaches of interscholastic athletics in California consistent with the highest national standards set by the legislature, state Department of Education, California Interscholastic Federation, and National Federation of State High School Associations.”

Primary Requirements. The prior requirements for coaching high school sports in California:

• A General Coaching Education Course;
• A Concussion Course;
• Sudden Cardiac Arrest;
• Heat Acclimatization Course; and
• First Aid and CPR Certification.

Courses to meet these requirements are posted on CIF’s website. Training is provided by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFSH), Human Kinetics Coach Education (HKCE), and the American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP) websites. In addition to the requirements above, cheer coaches must complete The Cheer and Dance Safety Certification course through the NFHS and USA Cheer.

1. Who Receives Training? Existing law requires each high school sports coach to complete a coaching education program developed by their school district or the CIF that meets the guidelines outlined in the CHSCTP. Additionally, CIF Bylaw 22.B. (9) defines a coach, either paid or unpaid, as “any individual that the school/district is required to approve under California Education Code 33190-33192, 45125.01 and 45125.1.” According to the CIF, “Simply stated, the law applies to anyone who must be fingerprinted and is approved by their local school board/directors to have contact with students. This applies to all CIF member schools, public and private.”

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, “This bill could result in one-time Proposition 98 General Fund costs for schools follow any new regulations that are developed by the CIF. Specifically, schools may need to purchase a Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) and whole-body cooling mechanisms to comply with the new regulations to maintain their CIF membership. A WBGT can cost between $500 and $600, while a whole-body cooling mechanism can be in the low hundreds of dollars. Depending on the number of schools that would need to purchase WBGTs and whole-body cooling mechanisms, statewide costs could be the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Schools may also incur one-time Proposition 98 General Fund costs to update their existing emergency action plans to include any new procedures related to heat illness. However, these costs are expected to be minor. Any costs to the CIF and CDE to develop the guidelines are anticipated to be minor and absorbable within existing resources.”

SUPPORT: (Verified 9/1/23)

None received

OPPOSITION: (Verified 9/1/23)

None received

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 80-0, 5/31/23

AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Cervantes, Chen, Connolly, Megan Dahle, Davies, Dixon, Essayli, Flora, Mike Fong, Vince Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Holden, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, Mathis, McCarty, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Robert Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Weber, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Zbur, Rendon

Prepared by: Kordell Hampton / ED. / (916) 651-4105

9/4/23 10:18:15

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Senator Anthony Portantino, Chair

2023 - 2024 Regular Session

AB 1653 (Sanchez) - Interscholastic athletic programs: emergency action plans: heat illness: guidelines

Bill Summary:

This bill requires the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), in consultation with the California Department of California (CDE), to develop guidelines, procedures, and safety standards for the prevention and management of exertional heat illness by July 1, 2024.

Fiscal Impact:

• This bill could result in one-time Proposition 98 General Fund costs for schools follow any new regulations that are developed by the CIF. Specifically, schools may need to purchase a Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) and whole-body cooling mechanisms to comply with the new regulations to maintain their CIF membership. A WBGT can cost between $500 and $600, while a whole-body cooling mechanism can be in the low hundreds of dollars. Depending on the number of schools that would need to purchase WBGTs and whole-body cooling mechanisms, statewide costs could be the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Schools may also incur one-time Proposition 98 General Fund costs to update their existing emergency action plans to include any new procedures related to heat illness. However, these costs are expected to be minor.
• Any costs to the CIF and CDE to develop the guidelines are anticipated to be minor and absorbable within existing resources.

Background:

Existing law requires each high school sports coach to complete a coaching education program developed by their school district or the CIF that meets the guidelines outlined in the California High School Coaching Education and Training Program (CHSCTP). The law also states that the Legislature intends that school districts administer CHSCTP and emphasizes specified components, including certification in CPR and first aid, including, but not limited to, a basic understanding of the signs and symptoms of concussions and heat illness and the appropriate response to concussions and heat illness. Concussion or heat illness training may be fulfilled through entities offering free, online, or other training courses. “Heat illness” includes cramps, syncope, exhaustion, and exertional heat stroke.

Existing law requires an LEA or charter school that elects to offer any interscholastic athletic program, the governing board of the school district or the governing body of the charter school shall ensure that there is a written emergency action plan in place that describes the location and procedures to be followed in the event of sudden cardiac arrest and other medical emergencies related to the athletic program’s activities or events.

The CIF governs competitive athletics for high schools in California. It is organized under CDE and governed by a council consisting of high school superintendents, principals, athletic directors, educators, and other organizations. Amongst other duties, the CIF adopts rules and regulations for school athletics and enforces them. There are approximately 1,600 schools that are members of the CIF, with over 760,000 student-athletes participating in athletics at these schools each year.

Proposed Law:

This bill requires the CIF, in consultation with CDE, to develop guidelines, procedures, and safety standards for the prevention and management of exertional heat illness no later than July 1, 2024.

This bill provides that the guidelines developed by CIF must identify the environmental conditions at which a school shall limit and prohibit the practice and play and include information regarding the accurate measurement of environmental heat stress at the site of the athletic activity, including the use of Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) to determine ambient temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation from the sun, including sun angle and cloud cover. The bill also specifies that the guidelines must identify the environmental conditions at which a school shall have a method to institute whole-body cooling to treat a student-athlete with exertional heat illness, especially heat stroke, that is easily accessible at all practice and contest venues.

Related Legislation:

AB 245 (McKionnor, 2023) would add to the California High School Coaching Education and Training Program (CHSCTP) by July 1, 2024, training in recognizing and responding to the signs and symptoms of concussions, heart illness, and cardiac arrest. This bill is pending on the Senate Floor.

AB 2800 (Chu, Chapter 21, Statutes of 2018) added training on understanding the signs and symptoms of heat illness and the appropriate response to the CHSCTP.

AB 2009 (Maienschein, Chapter 646, Statutes of 2018) required a school district or charter school that elects to offer any interscholastic athletic program to ensure that there is a written emergency action plan in place and acquire at least one automated external defibrillator for each school for emergency care in the event of cardiac arrest and other related medical emergencies.

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Senator Anthony Portantino, Chair

2023 - 2024 Regular Session

AB 1653 (Sanchez) - Interscholastic athletic programs: emergency action plans: heat illness: guidelines

Bill Summary:

This bill requires the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), in consultation with the California Department of California (CDE), to develop guidelines, procedures, and safety standards for the prevention and management of exertional heat illness by July 1, 2024.

Fiscal Impact:

• This bill could result in one-time Proposition 98 General Fund costs for schools follow any new regulations that are developed by the CIF. Specifically, schools may need to purchase a Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) and whole-body cooling mechanisms to comply with the new regulations to maintain their CIF membership. A WBGT can cost between $500 and $600, while a whole-body cooling mechanism can be in the low hundreds of dollars. Depending on the number of schools that would need to purchase WBGTs and whole-body cooling mechanisms, statewide costs could be the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Schools may also incur one-time Proposition 98 General Fund costs to update their existing emergency action plans to include any new procedures related to heat illness. However, these costs are expected to be minor.
• Any costs to the CIF and CDE to develop the guidelines are anticipated to be minor and absorbable within existing resources.

Background:

Existing law requires each high school sports coach to complete a coaching education program developed by their school district or the CIF that meets the guidelines outlined in the California High School Coaching Education and Training Program (CHSCTP). The law also states that the Legislature intends that school districts administer CHSCTP and emphasizes specified components, including certification in CPR and first aid, including, but not limited to, a basic understanding of the signs and symptoms of concussions and heat illness and the appropriate response to concussions and heat illness. Concussion or heat illness training may be fulfilled through entities offering free, online, or other training courses. “Heat illness” includes cramps, syncope, exhaustion, and exertional heat stroke.

Existing law requires an LEA or charter school that elects to offer any interscholastic athletic program, the governing board of the school district or the governing body of the charter school shall ensure that there is a written emergency action plan in place that describes the location and procedures to be followed in the event of sudden cardiac arrest and other medical emergencies related to the athletic program’s activities or events.

The CIF governs competitive athletics for high schools in California. It is organized under CDE and governed by a council consisting of high school superintendents, principals, athletic directors, educators, and other organizations. Amongst other duties, the CIF adopts rules and regulations for school athletics and enforces them. There are approximately 1,600 schools that are members of the CIF, with over 760,000 student-athletes participating in athletics at these schools each year.

Proposed Law:

This bill requires the CIF, in consultation with CDE, to develop guidelines, procedures, and safety standards for the prevention and management of exertional heat illness no later than July 1, 2024.

This bill provides that the guidelines developed by CIF must identify the environmental conditions at which a school shall limit and prohibit the practice and play and include information regarding the accurate measurement of environmental heat stress at the site of the athletic activity, including the use of Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) to determine ambient temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation from the sun, including sun angle and cloud cover. The bill also specifies that the guidelines must identify the environmental conditions at which a school shall have a method to institute whole-body cooling to treat a student-athlete with exertional heat illness, especially heat stroke, that is easily accessible at all practice and contest venues.

Related Legislation:

AB 245 (McKionnor, 2023) would add to the California High School Coaching Education and Training Program (CHSCTP) by July 1, 2024, training in recognizing and responding to the signs and symptoms of concussions, heart illness, and cardiac arrest. This bill is pending on the Senate Floor.

AB 2800 (Chu, Chapter 21, Statutes of 2018) added training on understanding the signs and symptoms of heat illness and the appropriate response to the CHSCTP.

AB 2009 (Maienschein, Chapter 646, Statutes of 2018) required a school district or charter school that elects to offer any interscholastic athletic program to ensure that there is a written emergency action plan in place and acquire at least one automated external defibrillator for each school for emergency care in the event of cardiac arrest and other related medical emergencies.

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Senator Josh Newman, Chair

2023 - 2024 Regular

Bill No: AB 1653 Hearing Date: June 28, 2023

Subject: Interscholastic athletic programs: emergency action plans: heat illness: guidelines

SUMMARY

This bill requires the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), in consultation with the California Department of California (CDE), to develop guidelines, procedures, and safety standards for the prevention and management of exertional heat illness, as specified, by July 1, 2024

BACKGROUND

Existing Law:

Education Code (EC)

1. Requires each high school sports coach to complete a coaching education program developed by their school district or the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) that meets the guidelines outlined in the California High School Coaching Education and Training Program (CHSCTP). (EC § 49032)
2. States that the Legislature intends that school districts administer CHSCTP and emphasizes the following components:
   1. Development of coaching philosophies consistent with school, school district, and governing board of a school district goals.
   2. Sport psychology: emphasizing communication, reinforcement of pupils’ efforts, effective delivery of coaching regarding technique and motivation of the pupil athlete.
   3. Sport pedagogy: how pupil athletes learn and how to teach sports skills.
   4. Sport physiology: principles of training, sports fitness, development of a training program, nutrition for athletes, and the harmful effects of using steroids and performance-enhancing dietary supplements by adolescents.
   5. Sport management: team management, risk management, and working within a school program context.
   6. Training: certification in CPR and first aid, including, but not limited to, a basic understanding of the signs and symptoms of concussions and heat illness and the appropriate response to concussions and heat illness. Concussion or heat illness training may be fulfilled through entities offering free, online, or other training courses. “Heat illness” includes cramps, syncope, exhaustion, and exertional heat stroke.
   7. Knowledge of and adherence to statewide rules and regulations, as well as school regulations, including, but not necessarily limited to, eligibility, gender equity, and discrimination.
   8. Sound planning and goal setting. (EC § 35179.1(c))
3. Specifies that the CHSCTP does not endorse a particular coaching education or training program. (EC § 35179.1)
4. Requires an LEA or charter school that elects to offer any interscholastic athletic program, the governing board of the school district or the governing body of the charter school shall ensure that there is a written emergency action plan in place that describes the location and procedures to be followed in the event of sudden cardiac arrest and other medical emergencies related to the athletic program’s activities or events. (EC § 35179.4.)

ANALYSIS

This bill requires the CIF, in consultation with the CDE, to develop guidelines, procedures, and safety standards for the prevention and management of exertional heat illness, as specified, by July 1, 2024. Specifically, this bill:

1. Requires CIF, in consultation with CDE, to develop guidelines, procedures, and safety standards for the prevention and management of exertional heat illness.no later than July 1, 2024.
2. Specifies guidelines developed by CIF must identify the environmental conditions at which a school shall limit and prohibit the practice and play and include information regarding the accurate measurement of environmental heat stress at the site of the athletic activity, including the use of Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) to determine ambient temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation from the sun, including sun angle and cloud cover.
3. Specifies that the guidelines developed by CIF must identify the environmental conditions at which a school shall have a method to institute whole-body cooling to treat a student-athlete with exertional heat illness, especially heat stroke, that is easily accessible at all practice and contest venues.

STAFF COMMENTS

1. Need for the bill. According to the author, “
2. What is Heat Illness? Heat Illness is a severe medical condition resulting from the body's inability to cope with a particular heat load and includes heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat syncope, and heat stroke 

What Happens to the Body. According to the Department of Industrial Relations, “Humans must maintain their internal body temperature within a few degrees above or below 98.6° F. People suffer from heat illness when their bodies cannot get rid of excess heat and adequately cool. The body loses its "heat balance" because it can not shed heat quickly enough.

The blood vessels get more significant when the body overheats and the heart beats faster and harder. More blood flows to the outer layers of the skin from the internal "core" so that the heat can be released into the cooler outside environment. If this process does not cool the body fast enough, or the outside air is warmer than the skin, the brain triggers sweating to cool the body. Sweat glands in the skin draw water from the bloodstream, making sweat. The sweat evaporates and releases the heat from the body. During an hour of heavy work in hot weather, the body can easily sweat out one quart of water.

Shifting blood to outer body layers (the "shell") causes less blood to go to the brain, muscles, and other organs (the "core"). Prolonged sweating can deplete the body of water and salt, causing dehydration. Muscle cramping may occur because the body loses water and the salts needed for the muscles to work. The physiological strain on the body from heat illness may cause the person to become dehydrated, weak, tired, and confused.

As dehydration worsens, the body can no longer keep its temperature within the normal range, sweating stops and severe heat illness occurs. In heatstroke, the person’s body temperature rises rapidly, damaging the brain, muscles, and vital organs, causing death.”

On June 1, 2018, AB 2800 (Chu), Chapter 21, Statutes of 2018 - was signed into law by Governor Brown, which requires coaches, when renewing their CPR/FIRST AID, Concussion and Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) certification that they also complete separate training in the signs and symptoms of heat illness. Information about heat illness (prevention and treatment) can be found on CIF’s website.

According to CIF’s 2022-23 Constitution and Bylaws, “A student-athlete who exhibits signs of heat illness while participating in, or immediately following, an athletic activity must be removed immediately from participating in a practice or game for the remainder of the day. A student-athlete who has been removed from play after displaying signs and symptoms associated with heat illness may not return to play until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed health care provider and receives written clearance to return to play from that health care provider. On a yearly basis, a Heat Illness information sheet shall be signed and returned by all athletes and the athlete’s parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver before the athlete’s initial practice or competition.”(Article 50, Bylaw 503(K))

1. How Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Can Help Prevent Heat Illness. According to the National Weather Service, “WBGT is a measure of the heat stress in direct sunlight, which takes into account: temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle, and cloud cover (solar radiation). This differs from the heat index, which considers temperature and humidity and is calculated for shady areas.”

As environmental temperature and humidity increase, there is an increase in the heat stress that is placed on the exercising individual. Exercise in the heat causes athletes to rely on the evaporation of sweat from the skin as the primary method of dissipating heat produced by the working muscles. As humidity increases, the ability to dissipate heat through evaporation is further hindered, thus causing the body to have an increased body temperature, which increases the risk of heat illness.

According to CIF’s website, “Coaches should ideally be aware of the Web Bulb Globe Temperature which measures not only temperature and humidity (the "heat index") but also wind speed, sun angle, and cloud cover. The WBGT is the most accurate measure of environmental heat stress. For example, the higher the temperature and humidity, with minimal wind and cloud cover, and with the sun directly overhead at 12 noon, the higher the WBGT and the more difficult for the body to cool itself. Knowing the WGBT using a device or an estimation (go to "Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Monitoring" below) will guide precautions for athletic activity. Athletes with heat illness risk factors should be closely supervised during strenuous activities, especially in hot and/or humid conditions.”

1. Training Requirements Currently Set By CIF. According to CIF’s website, “The purpose of the CIF Coaching Education Program is to enhance student-athletes experience by assuring their coaches meet a minimum level of professional training. The program provides strong, pragmatic, and comprehensive instruction for coaches of interscholastic athletics in California consistent with the highest national standards set by the legislature, state Department of Education, California Interscholastic Federation, and National Federation of State High School Associations.”

Primary Requirements. The prior requirements for coaching high school sports in California:

• A General Coaching Education Course;
• A Concussion Course;
• Sudden Cardiac Arrest;
• Heat Acclimatization Course; and
• First Aid and CPR Certification.

Courses to meet these requirements are posted on CIF’s website. Training is provided by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFSH), Human Kinetics Coach Education (HKCE), and the American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP) websites. In addition to the requirements above, cheer coaches must complete The Cheer and Dance Safety Certification course through the NFHS and USA Cheer.

1. Who Receives Training? Existing law requires each high school sports coach to complete a coaching education program developed by their school district or the CIF that meets the guidelines outlined in the CHSCTP. Additionally, CIF Bylaw 22.B. (9) defines a coach, either paid or unpaid, as “any individual that the school/district is required to approve under California Education Code 33190-33192, 45125.01 and 45125.1.” According to the CIF, “Simply stated, the law applies to anyone who must be fingerprinted and is approved by their local school board/directors to have contact with students. This applies to all CIF member schools, public and private.”
2. Related Legislation

AB 245 (McKionnor, 2023) would add to the California High School Coaching Education and Training Program (CHSCTP) by July 1, 2024, training in recognizing and responding to the signs and symptoms of concussions, heart illness, and cardiac arrest.

AB 2800 (Chu), Chapter 21, Statutes of 2018, added requirements to the CHSCTP for training on understanding the signs and symptoms of heat illness and the appropriate response.

AB 2009 (Maienschein), Chapter 646, Statutes of 2018, added requirements that a school district or charter school that elects to offer any interscholastic athletic program ensure that there is a written emergency action plan in place and acquire at least one automated external defibrillator (AED) for each school for emergency care in the event of cardiac arrest and other related medical emergencies. The bill also clarified that existing law providing conditional liability protections to those acquiring or using these AEDs would apply.

AB 141 (Hayashi), Chapter 173, Statutes of 2012, added requirements to the CHSCTP for training on understanding the signs and symptoms of concussions and the appropriate response.

AB 2741 (Miller) Chapter 744, Statutes of 1998, established the 1998 California High School Coaching and Education Program to be administered by school districts and to emphasize, among other things, sport psychology, sport pedagogy, sports physiology, CPR, and first aid.

SUPPORT

>

OPPOSITION

>

-- END --

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:AB 1653

Author:(Sanchez)

As Amended Ver:March 30, 2023

Majority vote

SUMMARY

Requires, no later than July 1, 2024, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), in consultation with the California Department of Education (CDE), to develop guidelines, procedures, and safety standards for the prevention and management of exertional heat illness; and requires CIF to develop guidelines to identify the environmental conditions at which a school must limit and prohibit practice and play.

Major Provisions

1. Requires any school electing to offer an interscholastic athletic program to ensure that procedures related to heat illness are included in its existing written emergency action plan.
2. Requires the guidelines to include information regarding the accurate measurement of environmental heat stress at the site of the athletic activity, including the use of Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT).
3. Requires the guidelines to identify the environmental conditions at which a school shall have a method to institute whole-body cooling to treat a student athlete with exertional heat illness.

COMMENTS

Emergency action plans. Existing law requires, if a school district or charter school elects to offer any interscholastic athletic program, the governing board of the school district or the governing body of the charter school to ensure that there is a written emergency action plan in place that describes the location and procedures to be followed in the event of sudden cardiac arrest and other medical emergencies related to the athletic program's activities or events. Currently law requires the written emergency action plan to be posted in compliance with the most recent pertinent guidelines of the National Federation of State High School Associations. This bill adds heat stroke to the list of items included in the written emergency action plan.

Practice/play policy using wet bulb globe thermometer readings. According to the National Weather Service, a WBGT is a measure of the heat stress in direct sunlight, which takes into account: temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle, and cloud cover (solar radiation). This differs from the heat index, which takes into consideration temperature and humidity and is calculated for shady areas.

Using a WBGT monitor on-site provides more accurate data than that from the National Weather Service and can help athletic programs to dictate modifications in activity (work/rest ratios, hydration breaks, equipment work, length of practice) that make sports safer for all participants.  

Research indicates that when establishing WBGT guidelines for physical activity, the guidelines must be geographic specific. For example, an athlete playing football in Louisiana may be accustomed to warm environmental conditions, unlike a football player from Maine. A football player practicing in 90°F temperatures in Louisiana could be comfortable whereas a football player practicing in the same conditions in Maine could be experiencing the worst conditions they have felt all year, which would increase the risk of heat illness. (University of Connecticut Korey Stringer Institute)

According to the Author

"Heat illness has become a leading cause of death for our student athletes. Parents and schools need all the tools they can to help ensure student athletes are able to practice and play their sports under reasonably safe conditions. That's why I've introduced AB 1653, to help provide schools with more tools to be better prepared for emergencies related to heat illness."

Arguments in Support

None on file.

Arguments in Opposition

None on file.

FISCAL COMMENTS

According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee,

1. Minor and absorbable costs to CIF to develop guidelines, procedures, and safety standards for the prevention and management of exertional heat illness. CIF is not funded using state funds, though a portion of its revenue is generated by fees from participating schools.
2. Minor and absorbable General Fund costs to CDE to consult with CIF on the guidelines.
3. One-time Proposition 98 General Fund costs to CIF member schools to adhere to the regulations this bill requires CIF to develop. Member schools likely will need to purchase a WBGT and some may need to purchase a whole-body cooling mechanism to comply with regulations to maintain their CIF membership. A WBGT costs between $500 and $600. A whole-body cooling mechanism can range in cost, depending on how sophisticated the mechanism (for example, an ice bath versus an existing cold shower) but would likely average in the low hundreds of dollars per school. According to CIF, it provided 400 WBGTs to member schools last year. If the remaining 1,200 member schools need to purchase WBGTs as a result of this bill, costs would be about $660,000 statewide. If half of member schools need to purchase a whole-body cooling mechanism as a result of this bill, costs would be about $160,000.
4. Minor one-time Proposition 98 General Fund costs to a school offering interscholastic athletic programs to ensure that procedures related to heat illness is included in its existing written emergency action plan.

VOTES

ASM EDUCATION: 6-0-1

YES: Muratsuchi, Megan Dahle, Juan Carrillo, Hoover, Lee, Quirk-Silva

ABS, ABST OR NV: McCarty

ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 15-0-1

YES: Holden, Megan Dahle, Bryan, Calderon, Wendy Carrillo, Dixon, Mike Fong, Hart, Lowenthal, Mathis, Papan, Pellerin, Sanchez, Weber, Ortega

ABS, ABST OR NV: Robert Rivas

UPDATED

VERSION: March 30, 2023

CONSULTANT: Chelsea Kelley / ED. / (916) 319-2087 FN: 0000811

Date of Hearing: April 19, 2023

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Chris Holden, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1653

Author:(Sanchez) – As Amended Ver:March 30, 2023

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This bill requires, no later than July 1, 2024, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), in consultation with the California Department of Education (CDE), to develop guidelines, procedures, and safety standards for the prevention and management of exertional heat illness.

In addition, this bill requires any school electing to offer an interscholastic athletic program to ensure that procedures related to heat illness are included in its existing written emergency action plan.

Specifically, this bill requires CIF to develop guidelines to identify the environmental conditions at which a school must limit and prohibit practice and play. The guidelines are to include information regarding the accurate measurement of environmental heat stress at the site of the athletic activity, including the use of Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT). The guidelines are also to identify the environmental conditions at which a school shall have a method to institute whole-body cooling to treat a student athlete with exertional heat illness.

FISCAL EFFECT:

1. Minor and absorbable costs to CIF to develop guidelines, procedures, and safety standards for the prevention and management of exertional heat illness. CIF is not funded using state funds, though a portion of its revenue is generated by fees from participating schools, as described in more detail in Comment #1.
2. Minor and absorbable General Fund costs to CDE to consult with CIF on the guidelines.
3. One-time Proposition 98 General Fund costs to CIF member schools to adhere to the regulations this bill requires CIF to develop. Member schools likely will need to purchase a WBGT and some may need to purchase a whole-body cooling mechanism to comply with regulations to maintain their CIF membership. A WBGT costs between $500 and $600. A whole-body cooling mechanism can range in cost, depending on how sophisticated the mechanism (for example, an ice bath versus an existing cold shower) but would likely average in the low hundreds of dollars per school. According to CIF, it provided 400 WBGTs to member schools last year. If the remaining 1,200 member schools need to purchase WBGTs as a result of this bill, costs would be about $660,000 statewide. If half of member schools need to purchase a whole-body cooling mechanism as a result of this bill, costs would be about $160,000.
4. Minor one-time Proposition 98 General Fund costs to a school offering interscholastic athletic programs to ensure that procedures related to heat illness is included in its existing written emergency action plan.

COMMENTS:

1. Background. The CIF governs competitive athletics in California for grades nine through twelve. The CIF is organized under CDE and is governed by a council consisting of high school superintendents, principals, athletic directors, educators, and other organizations. Amongst other duties, the CIF adopts rules and regulations for school athletics and enforces them. 1,600 schools are members of CIF, meaning the schools adhere to CIF rules and regulations. Over 760,000 student-athletes participate in athletics at CIF member schools annually. CIF views the development of guidelines such as those required in this bill as part of its core mission.

With the exception of some one-time funding during the COVID-19 pandemic, the CIF receives no state funding. The CIF is funded primarily from (a) membership fees from member schools ($0.88 per student), which likely comes from member schools’ Proposition 98 General Fund general purpose funding, (b) corporate sponsorships, and (c) CIF event ticket sales.

1. Related Legislation. AB 245 (McKinnor) of this session would require the High School Coaching Education and Training Program to include training in recognizing the signs and symptoms of cardiac arrest.

AB 1327 (Weber) of this session would require CIF to report to the Legislature annually, and for the report to include instances of hate violence; and, requires CIF to develop, in consultation with community organizations that represent the interests of ethnic groups and communities of color, a standardized incident form to track hate violence that occurs at high school sporting games or sporting events, and annually post those results on CIF’s website.

Analysis Prepared by: Natasha Collins / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: March 29, 2023

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Al Muratsuchi, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1653 (

Author:Sanchez) – As Amended Ver:March 20, 2023

SUBJECT: Interscholastic athletic programs: emergency action plans: heat stroke

SUMMARY: Requires the California Interscholastic Foundation (CIF), in consultation with the California Department of Education (CDE), to develop guidelines, procedures and safety standards for monitoring the safety of practice and play when wet bulb globe thermometer (WBGT) readings reach specified levels, no later than July 1, 2024; and requires the governing board of the school district or the governing body of the charter school to ensure that there is a written emergency action plan in place that describes the location and procedures to be followed in the event of heat illness related to the athletic program’s activities or events. Specifically, this bill:

1. Requires, in order to better protect student athletes participating in athletics during hot weather, the CIF, in consultation with the CDE, to develop guidelines, procedures and safety standards for monitoring the safety of practice and play when WBGT readings reach specified levels, no later than July 1, 2024.
2. Requires the guidelines to identify the WBGT readings at which a school must limit or prohibit practice and play.
3. Defines “wet bulb globe thermometer” as an instrument measuring the ambient temperature, humidity, wind, speed, sun angle, and cloud cover at the site of the athletic activity.
4. Requires, if a school district or charter school elects to offer any interscholastic athletic program, the governing board of the school district or the governing body of the charter school to ensure that there is a written emergency action plan in place that describes the location and procedures to be followed in the event of heat illness related to the athletic program’s activities or events.

EXISTING LAW:

1. States that if a school district or charter school elects to offer any interscholastic athletic program, the governing board of the school district or the governing body of the charter school must ensure that there is a written emergency action plan in place that describes the location and procedures to be followed in the event of sudden cardiac arrest and other medical emergencies related to the athletic program’s activities or events. The written emergency action plan shall be posted in compliance with the most recent pertinent guidelines of the National Federation of State High School Associations. (Education Code 35179.4)
2. Establishes the High School Coaching Education Training Program (HSCTP), which is administered by school districts and emphasizes the following components:
   1. Development of coaching philosophies consistent with school, school district, and governing board of a school district's goals;
   2. Sport psychology: emphasizing communication, reinforcement of the efforts of pupils, effective delivery of coaching regarding technique and motivation of the pupil athlete;
   3. Sport pedagogy: how pupil athletes learn, and how to teach sport skills;
   4. Sport physiology: principles of training, fitness for sport, development of a training program, nutrition for athletes, and the harmful effects associated with the use of steroids and performance-enhancing dietary supplements by adolescents;
   5. Sport management: team management, risk management, and working within the context of an entire school program;
   6. Training: certification in CPR and first aid, including, but not limited to, a basic understanding of the signs and symptoms of concussions and heat illness and the appropriate response to concussions and heat illness. Concussion or heat illness training may be fulfilled through entities offering free, online, or other types of training courses. For purposes of this section, “heat illness” includes heat cramps, heat syncope, heat exhaustion, and exertional heat stroke;
   7. Knowledge of, and adherence to, statewide rules and regulations, as well as school regulations including, but not necessarily limited to, eligibility, gender equity and discrimination; and
   8. Sound planning and goal setting. (EC 35179.1)

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown

COMMENTS:

Need for the bill. According to the author, “Heat illness has become a leading cause of death for our student athletes. Parents and schools need all the tools they can to help ensure student athletes are able to practice and play their sports under reasonably safe conditions. That’s why I’ve introduced AB 1653, to help provide schools with more tools to be better prepared for emergencies related to heat illness.”

Emergency action plans. Existing law requires, if a school district or charter school elects to offer any interscholastic athletic program, the governing board of the school district or the governing body of the charter school to ensure that there is a written emergency action plan in place that describes the location and procedures to be followed in the event of sudden cardiac arrest and other medical emergencies related to the athletic program’s activities or events. Currently law requires the written emergency action plan to be posted in compliance with the most recent pertinent guidelines of the National Federation of State High School Associations. This bill adds heat stroke to the list of items included in the written emergency action plan.

Practice/play policy using wet bulb globe thermometer readings. According to the National Weather Service, a WBGT is a measure of the heat stress in direct sunlight, which takes into account: temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle, and cloud cover (solar radiation). This differs from the heat index, which takes into consideration temperature and humidity and is calculated for shady areas.

Using a WBGT monitor on-site provides more accurate data than that from the National Weather Service and can help athletic programs to dictate modifications in activity (work/rest ratios, hydration breaks, equipment work, length of practice) that make sports safer for all participants.  

Research indicates that when establishing WBGT guidelines for physical activity, the guidelines must be geographic specific. For example, an athlete playing football in Louisiana may be accustomed to warm environmental conditions, unlike a football player from Maine. A football player practicing in 90°F temperatures in Louisiana could be comfortable whereas a football player practicing in the same conditions in Maine could be experiencing the worst conditions they have felt all year, which would increase the risk of heat illness. (University of Connecticut Korey Stringer Institute)

Researchers established heat safety regions to address the differences in heat acclimation among residents in these areas. Below is a map of the U.S. heat safety zones that can be used to read the activity guideline chart. Using the heat safety zones, along with readings from a wet bulb globe thermometer, the following recommendations were established by the University of Connecticut Korey Stringer Institute.

(Source: University of Connecticut Korey Stringer Institute and Grundstein, 2015)

What are other states doing? Georgia adopted a policy regarding practice guidelines using WBGT readings in 2012 and all Georgia Independent School Association Interscholastic Member Schools are required to comply. Georgia requires the following hydration, and rest break guidelines based on wet bulb globe thermometer readings:

• Under 82.0: Normal activities.  Provide at least three separate rest breaks each hour of a minimum duration of 3 minutes each during practice.
• 82.0 – 86.9: Use discretion for intense or prolonged exercise.  Watch at-risk students carefully. Provide at least three separate rest breaks each hour of a minimum of four minutes duration each during practice.
• 87.0 – 89.9: Maximum outdoor Practice time is two hours. For football, students are restricted to helmet, shoulder pads, and shorts during Practice.  All protective equipment must be removed for conditioning activities.  For all sports, provide at least four separate rest breaks each hour of a minimum of four minutes each during practice.
• 90.0 – 92.0: Maximum outdoor Practice time is one hour.  No protective equipment may be worn during outdoor practice and there may be no outdoor conditioning activities.  There must be twenty minutes of rest breaks provided during the hour of outdoor practice.
• Over 92: No outdoor activities or exercise.  Delay outdoor practice until a lower WBGT reading occurs.

The Georgia policy further specifies:

• The following guidelines apply to hydration and rest breaks:
  • Rest time should involve both unlimited hydration (water or electrolyte drinks) and rest without any activity involved.
  • For football, helmets should be removed during rest time.
  • The site of the rest time should be a cooling zone not in direct sunlight, such as indoors, under a tent, or under a shade tree.
  • When the WBGT is over 86, ice towels and spray bottles filled with ice water should be available in the cooling zone and cold immersion tubs shall be available for a student showing signs of heat illness.  A cold immersion tub may be anything, including a shower or wading pool that can be adapted to immerse a student in cold water and ice which is available within two minutes travel from an outdoor practice facility.
• The following guidelines apply to practice:
  • All Member Schools must hold Acclimatization Activities.
  • No two-a-day practices may exceed four hours for both sessions; no single practice during two-a-days may exceed two hours.  A three hour rest period must be observed between the two sessions.
  • No single practice may last more than three hours.
  • Restrictions based on outdoor WBGT readings do not apply to indoor practice where indoor air temperature is 85 degrees or less.

Coaches training. Currently CIF offers training programs to high school coaches who receive a certificate upon course completion. The completed certificate is transferable between school districts. CIF's mandated coaches training program under the High School Coaches Training Program (HSCTP) currently includes instruction on CPR, First Aid and concussions, sudden cardiac arrest and heat acclimation.

CIF offers a free online concussion training course for coaches where they receive an immediate printed certification upon completion. The free CIF online training course in heat illness prevention includes sections which explore the principles of Heat Illness Awareness, Adequate Hydration, Gradual Acclimatization, Hydration Status Record Keeping, and offers Additional Prevention Measures. Currently, coaches must complete a CPR/First Aid/Concussion course and renew that training every two years. This applies to all CIF member schools, public and private.

Recommended Committee Amendments. Staff recommends the bill be amended as follows:

1. Clarify that CIF shall develop guidelines, procedures, and safety standards for the prevention and management of exertional heat illnesses. Clarify that these guidelines shall identify the environmental conditions at which a school shall limit practice and play.
2. Specify that these guidelines shall include information regarding the accurate measurement of environmental heat stress at the site of the athletic activity, including the use of a wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) to determine ambient temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation from the sun, including sun angle and cloud cover.
3. Specify that the guidelines developed shall identify environmental conditions at which a school have easily accessible at all practice and contest venues a method to institute whole-body cooling to treat a student-athlete with exertional heat illness, especially heat stroke.

Related legislation. AB 245 (McKinnor) of the 2023-24 Session would require the High School Coaching Education and Training Program to include training in recognizing the signs and symptoms of cardiac arrest.

AB 1327 (Weber) of the 2023-24 Session would require CIF to report to the Legislature annually; requires the CIF report to include instances of hate violence; and, requires CIF to develop, in consultation with community organizations that represent the interests of ethnic groups and communities of color, a standardized incident form to track hate violence that occurs at high school sporting games or sporting events, and annually post those results on their website.

AB 2800 (Chu), Chapter 21, Statutes of 2021, adds basic understanding of the signs and symptoms of, and appropriate responses to, heat illness, to the training component of the 1998 HSCTP.

AB 2009 (Maienschein), Chapter 646, Statutes of 2018, requires, commencing July 1, 2019 that any school district or charter school which offers any interscholastic athletic program, must ensure that there is an emergency action plan in place that describes the location and procedures to be followed in the event of sudden cardiac arrest or other medical emergencies related to the athletic program’s activities or events, and acquire at least one AED for each school within the school district or the charter school, for the purpose of rendering emergency care or treatment, as specified. The bill would also expressly state that an employee is not liable for civil damages resulting from the rendering of emergency care or treatment pursuant to the bill’s provisions, except as provided, nor a public school, school district, or charter school, except as provided.

AB 141 (Hayashi), Chapter 173, Statutes of 2012, adds requirements to the California High School Coaching Education and Training Program (HSCTP) for training on understanding the signs and symptoms of concussions and the appropriate response to concussions.

AB 1646 (Hayashi) of the 2009-10 Session, would have required training for coaches to be able to identify symptoms of head and neck injury. The additional training would have been incorporated into coaches' first aid certification renewal. This bill was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

AB 1893 (Hayashi) of the 2009-10 Session, would have required all high school spirit activities (HSSA) coaches to have valid certification in CPR and first aid, including an understanding of signs, symptoms, and appropriate emergency action steps regarding potentially catastrophic injury, including but not limited to, head and neck injury and concussion. Pupils participating in HSSA who experience or show signs of trauma or other injury would have needed to obtain a release from the treating provider before resuming spirit activities. This bill was held in the Assembly Education Committee.

AB 533 (Hayashi) of the 2009-10 Session, would have required training for coaches to be able to identify symptoms of head and neck injury. The training would have been incorporated into coaches' first aid certification renewal. This bill was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

AB 2741 (Miller) Chapter 744, Statutes of 1998, establishes the 1998 California High School Coaching and Education Program to be administered by school districts and to emphasize, among other things, sport psychology, sport pedagogy, sport physiology, CPR, and first aid.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

None on file

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Chelsea Kelley / ED. / (916) 319-2087