This bill, Marcuss Law, mandates that high school students receiving federal education funds must undergo an electrocardiogram and echocardiogram before their first athletic contest, with provisions for cost, timing, and exemptions.
Josh Gottheimer
Representative
NJ-5
This bill, known as Marcuss Law, mandates that high school students (grades 9-12) receiving federal education funds must undergo an electrocardiogram and echocardiogram before their first athletic contest, starting in the 2026–2027 school year. Local educational agencies must partner to offer these screenings for $\$20$ or less, though religious and medical exemptions are permitted. Agencies unable to secure a partnership may request a temporary waiver.
New Federal Mandate Requires $20 Heart Screenings for High School Athletes Starting in 2026
Marcus's Law introduces a mandatory heart health check for every high schooler in the country before they can step onto a field or court for the first time. Starting with the 2026–2027 school year, any student in grades 9 through 12 attending a school that receives federal funds must undergo both an electrocardiogram (ECG) and an echocardiogram. Think of it as a deep dive into the heart's electrical system and physical structure to catch hidden issues before a kickoff or tip-off. While the bill aims to prevent sudden cardiac events, it places a significant new administrative requirement on local school districts to ensure these medical tests are accessible and affordable.
The $20 Price Tag Challenge
To make this feasible for families, the bill requires school districts to partner with healthcare providers to offer these screenings for $20 or less. For a parent, this is a steal—getting an ultrasound of your child’s heart for the price of a large pizza is a massive win for preventative care. However, the bill is a bit fuzzy on what happens if a school can’t find a partner willing to perform these tests at such a steep discount. While schools can apply for a waiver from the Secretary of Education if they can’t find a partner, they have to prove they made a 'sufficient attempt' to do so. For busy school administrators, this could mean a mountain of extra paperwork and a constant cycle of searching for medical partners every single sports season.
Timing and Flexibility for Families
The bill is designed with some flexibility for the actual scheduling. A student can get these screenings anytime between their first day of freshman year and the day before their very first high school game. This means if your teen is a three-sport athlete starting in 9th grade, you’ll need to get this done early; if they don't decide to join the track team until junior year, you have more lead time. There are also clear 'out' clauses: the requirement doesn't apply if it conflicts with religious beliefs or if a doctor provides documentation stating the student shouldn't undergo the tests for medical reasons.
The Long-Term Play
While the goal is saving lives through early detection, the real-world rollout might be bumpy. Beyond the $20 cap, there’s the question of medical infrastructure. If every freshman athlete in a large city needs an echocardiogram by August, local clinics might see a massive bottleneck. Additionally, while the bill caps the screening cost, it doesn't address the follow-up costs if a test comes back with a 'yellow flag.' For families, this bill starts a vital conversation about heart health, but it also adds one more high-stakes item to the already hectic back-to-school checklist.