With New July 1 Law for High School Students Approaching, Lifesaving Heart Screenings Coming to Sarasota and Manatee
Second Chance Act Starts Protecting Students on July 1
All students participating in high school sports for the first time are included in Florida’s new law that goes into effect on July 1, the Second Chance Act (also called SB 1070 or Florida Statute 1006.20).
Before their first sports tryout, conditioning, workout, practice, or other athletic activity of the 2026-27 school year—including during summer break—they must get a heart screening using an ECG and receive results showing they are cleared for sports.
ECG screenings are quick, painless, and not invasive (photos and video here). They may be available through a student’s doctor or school, in addition to low-cost community screening events organized by Who We Play For.
1 in 300 Youth Have a Hidden Heart Condition
Registration is now open for anyone ages 10-25, regardless of fitness level, for a low-cost, painless, five-minute electrocardiogram, or ECG. The painless ECG screenings can identify heart conditions that may lead to Sudden Cardiac Arrest, or SCA.
SCA is the number one cause of death in student-athletes and the number one medical cause of death on school campuses. SCA takes the lives of 23,000 youth each year, and a life-threatening heart condition lurks silently in 1 out of every 300 youth. (See attached fact sheet for more.)
Screenings are performed using Cardiac Insight’s Cardea 20/20 ECG system, the same technology used by major professional sports leagues. The system applies International Criteria when age-appropriate to help deliver highly accurate results with a low false-positive rate of ~2%, reducing unnecessary follow-ups and anxiety for families.
Upcoming Who We Play For Heart Screening Events
Register in advance at WhoWePlayFor.org or using the links below.
Walk-in patients are not always accepted.
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Outpatient Care, Lakewood Ranch – Manatee Co.
Wednesday, June 24 from 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
6075 White Eagle Blvd., Bradenton, Florida
Cost: $20. Financial assistance is available through the State of Florida heart screening grant program.
Registration link: whoweplayfor.jotform.com/261535800619053
Pine View School – Sarasota Co.
Wednesday, June 24 from 4 p.m.–7 p.m.
1 Python Path, Osprey, Florida
Cost: $20. Financial assistance is available through the State of Florida heart screening grant program.
Registration link: whoweplayfor.jotform.com/261475697307064
Manatee Technical College East Campus – Manatee Co.
Tuesday, July 7 from 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
5520 Lakewood Ranch Blvd, Bradenton, Florida
Cost: $20. Financial assistance is available through the State of Florida heart screening grant program.
Registration link: whoweplayfor.jotform.com/261376651678065
Riverview High School – Sarasota Co.
Tuesday, July 14 from 4 p.m.–7 p.m.
1 Ram Way, Sarasota, Florida
Cost: $20. Financial assistance is available through the State of Florida heart screening grant program.
Registration link: whoweplayfor.jotform.com/261475442245053
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Outpatient Care, Sarasota – Sarasota Co.
Thursday, July 16 from 12 p.m.–4 p.m.
5881 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, Florida
Cost: $20. Financial assistance is available through the State of Florida heart screening grant program.
Registration link: whoweplayfor.jotform.com/261626627790061
Imagine School North Port – Sarasota Co.
Wednesday, August 5 from 4 p.m.–6 p.m.
2757 Sycamore St., North Port, Florida
Cost: $20. Financial assistance is available through the State of Florida heart screening grant program.
Registration link: whoweplayfor.jotform.com/261264930621049
“We are thrilled to help spread the message that all kids deserve to have their hearts checked. It’s our honor to help protect families across Florida from the very worst tragedy imaginable—losing a child to a preventable condition,” said Evan Ernst, Executive Director of Who We Play For, the nonprofit group that has coordinated hundreds of heart screenings at events across Florida, including these.