Beginning July 1, 2026, Florida law will require certain student athletes to complete a cardiac screening prior to participation in school‑sponsored athletic programs. The requirement is outlined in §1006.20, Florida Statutes (CS/CS/CS/SB 1070 – the “Second Chance Act”) and is designed to help detect undiagnosed heart conditions that may lead to Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA).
To support student safety and assist families with meeting this new requirement, the School District of Manatee County is partnering with Who We Play For to offer safe and affordable electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) screenings for eligible student athletes.
An ECG is a quick, non‑invasive test that measures the electrical activity of the heart and can identify potential cardiac conditions that may not be detected during a standard sports physical.
Who Is Required to Receive an ECG?
The ECG screening requirement applies to:
Incoming ninth‑grade students, and
Current high school students who have not previously participated in a sport sanctioned by the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA)
To register for one of the following upcoming dates, visit whoweplayfor.org/heart-screening-registration
Upcoming ECG Screening Dates and Locations
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Southeast High School: 9 a.m.
Bayshore High School: 4 p.m.
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Parrish Community High School: 9 a.m.
Braden River High School: 4 p.m.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Lakewood Ranch High School: 5 p.m.
Saturday, April 25, 2026
Palmetto High School: 9 a.m.
Manatee High School: 4 p.m.
Families may attend the screening location and time that best fits their schedule. Families can learn more about the screenings on the School District website: www.manateeschools.net/o/sdmc/page/ecg-screening
The School District of Manatee County remains committed to protecting the health and safety of student athletes while supporting families in meeting state requirements.
For more information, families are encouraged to contact their school’s athletic department:
Southeast High School: Matt Kitchie, kitchiem@manateeschools.net
Bayshore High School: Sean Mackey, mackeyd@manateeschools.net
Parrish Community High School: Shawn Trent, trents@manateeschools.net
Braden River High School: Matt Nesser, nesserm@manateeschools.net
Lakewood Ranch High School: Kent Ringquist, ringquik@manateeschools.net
Palmetto High School: Bryan Wilkes, wilkesb@manateeschools.net
Manatee High School: Matt Bowling, bowlingm@manateeschools.net