A groundbreaking federal bill, the Cardiomyopathy Health, Education, Awareness, Research, and Training in Schools (HEARTS) Act, has cleared a major hurdle and is now heading to the Senate. The bill was inspired by the tragic deaths of New Jersey student-athletes, including Edison’s Kittim Sherrod, who lost his life to undiagnosed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in 2009.
Spearheaded by Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), the HEARTS Act aims to equip schools across the nation with resources and training to tackle the growing problem of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) among young people. SCA claims the life of one student-athlete every three to four days, a chilling statistic that underscores the urgent need for action.
Introduced in December 2023 and recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, the HEARTS Act mandates the availability of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), the implementation of Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs), and CPR training for both staff and students. It also establishes a federal grant program to ensure schools have the funding to implement these life-saving measures.
The bill has garnered strong bipartisan backing and widespread support from various organizations, including the American Heart Association, the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, and the Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation.
Pallone’s leadership in addressing this critical issue has been lauded by advocates and families affected by SCA, including Razeenah Walker, the grandmother of Kittim Sherrod. Walker has been a tireless advocate for raising awareness about SCA and has worked closely with both Pallone and State Sen. Patrick J. Diegnan, D-Middlesex, to craft legislation at both the state and federal levels.
The HEARTS Act’s passage in the House is a significant step forward, but its journey is far from over. The bill now moves to the Senate, where its approval is crucial to ensuring that schools nationwide can implement these vital safeguards.
With the potential to save countless young lives, the HEARTS Act represents a beacon of hope in the fight against sudden cardiac arrest. As Walker continues to spread awareness through the Kittim N. Sherrod Foundation, the bill’s progress serves as a powerful reminder of the impact that one person’s determination can have in the face of tragedy.
