S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
4826--A
2015-2016 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
February 6, 2015
___________
Introduced by M. of A. CUSICK -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Education -- recommitted to the Committee on Education in accord-
ance with Assembly Rule 3, sec. 2 -- committee discharged, bill
amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said commit-
tee
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to requiring heart exam-
inations for students
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 903 of the education law, as
amended by chapter 376 of the laws of 2015, is amended to read as
follows:
1. A health certificate shall be furnished by each student in the
public schools upon his or her entrance in such schools and upon his or
her entry into the grades prescribed by the commissioner in regulations,
provided that such regulations shall require such certificates at least
twice during the elementary grades and twice in the secondary grades. An
examination and health history of any child may be required by the local
school authorities at any time in their discretion to promote the educa-
tional interests of such child. Each certificate shall be signed by a
duly licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner, who
is authorized by law to practice in this state, and consistent with
subdivision three of section six thousand nine hundred two of this chap-
ter, or by a duly licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse
practitioner, who is authorized to practice in the jurisdiction in which
the examination was given, provided that the commissioner has determined
that such jurisdiction has standards of licensure and practice compara-
ble to those of New York. Each such certificate shall describe the
condition of the student when the examination was made, which shall not
be more than twelve months prior to the commencement of the school year
in which the examination is required, and shall state whether such
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01851-03-6
A. 4826--A 2
student is in a fit condition of health to permit his or her attendance
at the public schools. Each such certificate shall also state the
student's body mass index (BMI) and weight status category. For purposes
of this section, BMI is computed as the weight in kilograms divided by
the square of height in meters or the weight in pounds divided by the
square of height in inches multiplied by a conversion factor of 703.
Weight status categories for children and adolescents shall be as
defined by the commissioner of health. EACH SUCH CERTIFICATE SHALL ALSO
STATE THAT THE STUDENT HAS UNDERGONE A HEART TEST SUCH AS AN ELECTROCAR-
DIOGRAM, AND STATE WHETHER THE STUDENT IS FIT TO PARTICIPATE IN PHYSICAL
EDUCATION OR OTHER PHYSICAL OR ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES. In all school
districts such physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner
shall determine whether a one-time test for sickle cell anemia is neces-
sary or desirable and he or she shall conduct such a test and the
certificate shall state the results.
S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.