[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 148 (Monday, September 23, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H5573-H5575]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1445
   CARDIOMYOPATHY HEALTH EDUCATION, AWARENESS, AND RESEARCH, AND AED 
                  TRAINING IN THE SCHOOLS ACT OF 2024

  Mr. BUCSHON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 6829) to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize 
and support the creation and dissemination of cardiomyopathy education, 
awareness, and risk assessment materials and resources to identify more 
at-risk families, to authorize research and surveillance activities 
relating to cardiomyopathy, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 6829

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Cardiomyopathy Health 
     Education, Awareness, and Research, and AED Training in the 
     Schools Act of 2024'' or the ``HEARTS Act of 2024''.

     SEC. 2. CARDIOMYOPATHY HEALTH EDUCATION, AWARENESS, AND 
                   RESEARCH, AND AED TRAINING IN SCHOOLS.

       (a) Amendment.--The Public Health Service Act is amended by 
     inserting after section 312 (42 U.S.C. 244) the following:

     ``SEC. 312A. MATERIALS AND RESOURCES TO INCREASE EDUCATION 
                   AND AWARENESS OF CARDIOMYOPATHY AMONG SCHOOL 
                   ADMINISTRATORS, EDUCATORS, AND FAMILIES.

       ``(a) Materials and Resources.--Not later than 18 months 
     after the date of the enactment of the HEARTS Act of 2024, 
     the Secretary, in consultation with the Director of the 
     Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall develop 
     public education materials and resources to be disseminated 
     to school administrators, educators, school health 
     professionals, coaches, families, guardians, caregivers, and 
     other appropriate individuals. The materials and resources 
     shall include--
       ``(1) information on the signs, symptoms, and risk factors 
     associated with high-risk cardiac conditions and genetic 
     heart rhythm abnormalities that may cause sudden cardiac 
     arrest in children, adolescents, and young adults, 
     including--
       ``(A) cardiomyopathy;
       ``(B) long QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome, catecholaminergic 
     polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, short QT syndrome, and 
     Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome; and
       ``(C) other high-risk cardiac conditions, as determined by 
     the Secretary;
       ``(2) guidelines regarding the placement of automated 
     external defibrillators in schools, early childhood education 
     programs, and child care centers;
       ``(3) training information on automated external 
     defibrillators and cardiopulmonary resuscitation; and
       ``(4) recommendations for how schools, early childhood 
     education programs, and child care centers can develop and 
     implement a cardiac emergency response plan.
       ``(b) Dissemination of Materials and Resources.--Not later 
     than 30 months after the date of the enactment of the HEARTS 
     Act of 2024, the Secretary shall disseminate the materials 
     and resources developed under subsection (a) in accordance 
     with the following:
       ``(1) Distribution by state educational agencies.--The 
     Secretary shall make available such materials and resources 
     to State educational agencies to distribute--
       ``(A) to school administrators, educators, school health 
     professionals, coaches, families, guardians, caregivers, and 
     other appropriate individuals, the information developed 
     under subsection (a)(1);
       ``(B) to parents, guardians, or other caregivers, the 
     cardiomyopathy risk assessment developed pursuant to section 
     312B(b)(1); and
       ``(C) to school administrators, educators, school health 
     professionals, and coaches--
       ``(i) the guidelines described in subsection (a)(2);
       ``(ii) the training information described in subsection 
     (a)(3); and
       ``(iii) the recommendations described in subsection (a)(4).
       ``(2) Dissemination to health departments and 
     professionals.--The Secretary shall make available the 
     materials and resources developed under subsection (a) to 
     State and local health departments, pediatricians, hospitals, 
     and other health professionals, such as nurses and first 
     responders.
       ``(3) Posting on website.--
       ``(A) CDC.--
       ``(i) In general.--The Secretary, through the Director, 
     shall post the materials and resources developed under 
     subsection (a) on the public Internet website of the Centers 
     for Disease Control and Prevention.
       ``(ii) Additional information.--The Director is encouraged 
     to maintain on such public Internet website such additional 
     information regarding cardiomyopathy as deemed appropriate by 
     the Director.
       ``(B) State educational agencies.--State educational 
     agencies are encouraged to create public Internet webpages 
     dedicated to cardiomyopathy and post the materials and 
     resources developed under subsection (a) on such webpages.
       ``(c) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) The term `cardiomyopathy' means a heart disease that 
     affects the heart's muscle (myocardium)--
       ``(A) the symptoms of which may vary from case to case, 
     including--
       ``(i) cases in which no symptoms are present 
     (asymptomatic); and
       ``(ii) cases in which there are symptoms of a progressive 
     condition that may result from an impaired ability of the 
     heart to pump blood, such as fatigue, irregular heartbeats 
     (arrhythmia), heart failure, and, potentially, sudden cardiac 
     death; and
       ``(B) the recognized types of which include dilated, 
     hypertrophic, restrictive, arrhythmogenic right ventricular 
     dysplasia, and left ventricular non-compaction.
       ``(2) The term `Director' means the Director of the Centers 
     for Disease Control and Prevention.
       ``(3) The terms `early childhood education program', 
     `elementary school', and `secondary school' have the meanings 
     given to those terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and 
     Secondary Education Act of 1965.
       ``(4) The term `school administrator' means a principal, 
     director, manager, or other supervisor or leader within an 
     elementary school, secondary school, State-based early 
     childhood education program, or child care center.
       ``(5) The term `school health professional' means a health 
     professional serving at an elementary school, secondary 
     school, State-based early childhood education program, or 
     child care center.

[[Page H5574]]

  


     ``SEC. 312B. ACTIVITIES RELATING TO CARDIOMYOPATHY.

       ``(a) Report on CDC National Cardiomyopathy Activities.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date 
     of the enactment of the HEARTS Act of 2024, the Secretary, 
     acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease 
     Control and Prevention, shall submit to Congress a report on 
     findings generated from existing activities conducted by the 
     Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to improve the 
     understanding of the prevalence and epidemiology of 
     cardiomyopathy across the lifespan, from birth to adulthood, 
     with particular interest in the following:
       ``(A) The natural history of individuals with 
     cardiomyopathy, in both the pediatric and adult population.
       ``(B) Estimates of cardiomyopathy-related emergency 
     department visits and hospitalizations, in both the pediatric 
     and adult population.
       ``(2) Public access.--Subject to paragraph (3), the report 
     submitted under this subsection shall be made available to 
     the public.
       ``(3) Privacy protections.--The Secretary shall ensure that 
     this subsection is carried out in a manner that complies with 
     all applicable privacy laws under Federal and State law.
       ``(b) Improving Risk Assessments for Individuals With 
     Cardiomyopathy.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall develop and make 
     publicly available a cardiomyopathy risk assessment for 
     health care providers and individuals. Such risk assessment 
     shall, at a minimum, include the following:
       ``(A) Background information on the prevalence, incidence, 
     and health impact of cardiomyopathy, including all forms of 
     cardiomyopathy and their effects on pediatric, adolescent, 
     and adult individuals.
       ``(B) A worksheet with variables and conditions for an 
     individual or health care provider to use in assessing 
     whether an individual is at risk for cardiomyopathy.
       ``(C) A worksheet with variables and stages of progression 
     for an individual or health care provider to use in assessing 
     whether and to what extent cardiomyopathy has progressed in 
     an individual.
       ``(D) Guidelines on cardiomyopathy screenings for 
     individuals who are at risk for, or have a family history of, 
     cardiomyopathy.
       ``(2) Stakeholder input.--In carrying out paragraph (1), 
     the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and 
     Prevention shall seek input from external stakeholders 
     including--
       ``(A) representatives from national patient advocacy 
     organizations expert in all forms of cardiomyopathy;
       ``(B) representatives from medical professional societies 
     that specialize in the care of adults and pediatrics with 
     cardiomyopathy; and
       ``(C) representatives from other relevant Federal agencies.
       ``(c) Definition.--In this section, the term 
     `cardiomyopathy' has the meaning given to such term in 
     section 312A.

     ``SEC. 312C. CARDIOMYOPATHY RESEARCH.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation with the 
     Director of the National Institutes of Health, may expand and 
     coordinate research and related activities of the National 
     Institutes of Health with respect to cardiomyopathy, which 
     may include research with respect to--
       ``(1) causation of cardiomyopathy, including genetic causes 
     and molecular biomarkers;
       ``(2) long-term health outcomes in individuals with 
     cardiomyopathy, including infants, children, teenagers, 
     adults, and elderly individuals; and
       ``(3) studies using longitudinal data and retrospective 
     analysis to identify effective treatments and outcomes for 
     individuals with cardiomyopathy.
       ``(b) Nonduplication.--The Secretary shall ensure that any 
     research and activities related to cardiomyopathy under this 
     section do not unnecessarily duplicate activities, programs, 
     or efforts of other agencies and offices within the 
     Department of Health and Human Services.
       ``(c) NIH Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date 
     of the enactment of the HEARTS Act of 2024, the Secretary, in 
     consultation with the Director of the National Institutes of 
     Health, shall submit to Congress a report--
       ``(1) outlining the ongoing research efforts of the 
     National Institutes of Health regarding cardiomyopathy; and
       ``(2) identifying--
       ``(A) a research agenda regarding adult forms of 
     cardiomyopathy;
       ``(B) plans for researching cardiomyopathy affecting the 
     pediatric population; and
       ``(C) the areas of greatest need for such research.
       ``(d) Cardiomyopathy Defined.--In this section, the term 
     `cardiomyopathy' has the meaning given to such term in 
     section 312A.

     ``SEC. 312D. PROMOTING STUDENT ACCESS TO AEDS AND CPR.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary may award grants to 
     eligible entities to develop and implement a comprehensive 
     program to promote student access to automated external 
     defibrillators (in this section referred to as `AEDs') and 
     cardiopulmonary resuscitation (in this section referred to as 
     `CPR') in public elementary schools and secondary schools.
       ``(b) Use of Funds.--An eligible entity receiving a grant 
     under subsection (a) may use funds received through such 
     grant to carry out any of the following activities:
       ``(1) Developing and providing comprehensive materials to 
     establish AED and CPR programs in public elementary schools 
     and secondary schools.
       ``(2) Providing support for CPR and AED training programs 
     in such schools for students, staff, and related sports 
     volunteers.
       ``(3) Providing support for developing a cardiac emergency 
     response plan within such schools.
       ``(4) Purchasing AEDs that have been approved under section 
     515 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, cleared 
     under section 510(k) of such Act, or classified under section 
     513(f)(2) of such Act.
       ``(5) Purchasing necessary AED batteries and performing 
     necessary AED maintenance (such as by replacing AED pads) in 
     accordance with the labeling of the AED involved.
       ``(6) Replacing old and outdated AED and CPR equipment, 
     machinery, and educational materials.
       ``(c) Eligibility; Application.--To be eligible for a grant 
     under subsection (a), an entity shall--
       ``(1) be a local educational agency (including a public 
     charter school operating as a local educational agency under 
     State law), in consultation with a qualified health care 
     entity; and
       ``(2) submit to the Secretary an application at such time, 
     in such manner, and containing such information as the 
     Secretary may reasonably require.
       ``(d) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) ESEA terms.--The terms `elementary school', `local 
     educational agency', and `secondary school' have the meanings 
     given such terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and 
     Secondary Education Act of 1965.
       ``(2) Qualified health care entity.--The term `qualified 
     health care entity' means a health care entity that--
       ``(A) is--
       ``(i) a public entity; or
       ``(ii) an organization that is described in section 501(c) 
     of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation 
     under section 501(a) of such Code;
       ``(B) demonstrates an ability to develop, train, and 
     implement a comprehensive program to promote student access 
     to defibrillation in public elementary and secondary schools; 
     and
       ``(C) is qualified in providing technical assistance in AED 
     and CPR training.''.
       (b) No Additional Funds.--No additional funds are 
     authorized to be appropriated to carry out sections 312A, 
     312B, 312C, and 312D of the Public Health Service Act, as 
     inserted by subsection (a).

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Indiana (Mr. Bucshon) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Indiana.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BUCSHON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and insert extraneous material into the Record on the bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Indiana?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BUCSHON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6829, the Cardiomyopathy 
Health Education, Awareness, and Research, and AED Training in the 
Schools Act, or the HEARTS Act, of 2024, led by Committee on Energy and 
Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone.
  In the United States, more than 30,000 children are diagnosed with 
some form of cardiomyopathy, and more than 2,000 children and 
adolescents die from a sudden cardiac event each year.
  Research and experience have shown that immediate use of an automated 
external defibrillator, or AED, for short, or CPR can double or triple 
an individual's chance of survival.
  The HEARTS Act of 2024 would authorize and support programs to 
coordinate related research, promote access to AEDs and CPR training, 
and raise public awareness of cardiomyopathy within schools, local 
health departments, and communities.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H.R. 6829, the HEARTS Act. 
I am proud to have sponsored this legislation, which is inspired by two 
New Jersey families who each tragically lost a child to sudden cardiac 
arrest during high school sporting events.
  Sadly, more than 2,000 children and adolescents die this way, 
unfortunately, every single year, and the bill aims to prevent future 
deaths of cardiac arrest by preparing schools to respond to cardiac 
emergencies when they occur.

[[Page H5575]]

  It directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop 
guidelines on the placement of automated external defibrillators, or 
AEDs, in schools and to provide resources to help schools create and 
implement cardiac emergency response plans.
  The legislation also supports CPR education and training among 
students, school personnel, coaches, and volunteers. It would also 
support the development of cardiac emergency response plans, which, 
along with AEDs and CPR, are integral to a coordinated, immediate, and 
effective response in the crucial minutes between the time when a 
victim collapses and when emergency medical services arrive.
  The HEARTS Act will raise awareness about the causes of sudden 
cardiac arrest and ensure schools are more prepared to deal with 
cardiac emergencies so we can save lives. This legislation has the 
support of the American Heart Association and the Smart Heart 
Coalition, among others.
  It is my hope the Senate will consider this legislation and restore 
the authorization level, which we reluctantly were required to remove 
in order to get this bill before us today to comply with the Speaker's 
CutGo protocol. The Speaker's protocol, in my opinion, is arbitrary, 
selectively enforced, and ill-advised because it hampers our ability to 
address the pressing public health issues of the day.
  I am disappointed that although the bill as originally written was 
cleared in committee on a bipartisan basis with the funding 
authorization, the House Republican leadership reversed course and 
determined before floor consideration that it was not in compliance 
with the Speaker's protocol.
  We are, nonetheless, moving forward today because we believe it is 
imperative to move this policy forward for the parents and student 
athletes who have suffered from this sudden cardiac arrest, and I 
remain committed to ensuring the enduring success of this program and 
to seek funding for it.
  I thank Chair Rodgers for working closely with me on the legislation, 
as well as the New Jersey families who shared their stories with me and 
have advocated tirelessly for safer cardiac health and resources in our 
schools.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge strong support for the bill, and I thank all the 
members of our committee for reporting this bill out on a bipartisan 
basis. It is important for our kids.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask everyone to vote in support of the bill, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BUCSHON. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I encourage a ``yes'' vote on 
this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Bucshon) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 6829, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________