Ind. Code § 20-34-8-0.5 "Applicable student"
Sec. 0.5. As used in this chapter, "applicable student" means a student who competes in an athletic activity.
As added by P.L.56-2021, SEC.2.
Ind. Code ch. 20-34-8
Ind. Code ch. 20-34-8
in effectInd. Code § 20-34-8-1 "Association"
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "association" means an organization that conducts, organizes, sanctions, or sponsors interscholastic athletic events as the organization's primary purpose.
As added by P.L.139-2014, SEC.3.
Ind. Code § 20-34-8-2 "Athletic activity"
Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "athletic activity" includes the following:
(1) An athletic contest or competition conducted between or among schools.
(2) Competitive and noncompetitive cheerleading that is sponsored by or associated with a school.
(3) Marching band.
(4) Other extracurricular competitive or noncompetitive activities in which students have an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest as determined by the department in consultation with an organization that specializes in preventing sudden cardiac arrest.
As added by P.L.139-2014, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.127-2016, SEC.23; P.L.56-2021, SEC.3.
Ind. Code § 20-34-8-3 "School"
Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "school" refers to a public school and a state accredited nonpublic school.
As added by P.L.139-2014, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.92-2020, SEC.89.
Ind. Code § 20-34-8-3.5 "Venue specific emergency action plan for sudden cardiac arrest"
Sec. 3.5. As used in this chapter, "venue specific emergency action plan for sudden cardiac arrest" means a plan developed by a school corporation, charter school, or state accredited nonpublic school that:
(1) includes detailed instructions regarding how to respond to sudden cardiac arrest; and
(2) indicates the location of the nearest automated external defibrillator (AED) at the venue.
As added by P.L.187-2023, SEC.1.
Ind. Code § 20-34-8-4 Application to parent of emancipated applicable student
Sec. 4. This chapter does not require information to be provided to or consent to be received from the parent of an applicable student if the applicable student is:
(1) at least eighteen (18) years of age; or
(2) an emancipated minor.
As added by P.L.139-2014, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.56-2021, SEC.4.
Ind. Code § 20-34-8-5 Distribution of information by department
Sec. 5. (a) The department shall disseminate guidelines, information sheets, and forms to each state accredited nonpublic school, charter school, and each school corporation for distribution to schools to inform and educate coaches, marching band leaders, applicable students, and parents of applicable students of the nature and risk of sudden cardiac arrest to applicable students. The guidelines and information sheets must include the following information:
(1) The nature and warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest, including the risks associated with continuing to play or practice after experiencing one (1) or more symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest, including:
(A) fainting;
(B) difficulty breathing;
(C) chest pains;
(D) dizziness; and
(E) abnormal racing heart rate.
(2) Information about electrocardiogram testing, including the potential risks, benefits, and evidentiary basis behind electrocardiogram testing.
(b) The department:
(1) may consult with an association, medical professionals, and others with expertise in diagnosing and treating sudden cardiac arrest; and
(2) may request the assistance of an association in disseminating the guidelines, information sheets, and forms required under subsection (a).
(c) The department may disseminate the guidelines, information sheets, and forms required under this section in an electronic format and must be made available on the department's website.
As added by P.L.139-2014, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.92-2020, SEC.90; P.L.56-2021, SEC.5; P.L.23-2026, SEC.200.
Ind. Code § 20-34-8-6 Acknowledgement of receipt of information
Sec. 6. Each year, before beginning practice for an athletic activity, an applicable student and the applicable student's parent:
(1) must be given the information sheet and form described in section 5 of this chapter; and
(2) shall sign and return the form acknowledging the receipt and review of the information sheet to the applicable student's coach, marching band leader, or other official designated by the applicable student's school entity.
The coach, marching band leader, or other official designated by the applicable student's school entity shall maintain a file of the completed forms.
As added by P.L.139-2014, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.56-2021, SEC.6.
Ind. Code § 20-34-8-7 Applicable student with symptom of sudden cardiac arrest; removal; notification
Sec. 7. If an applicable student is suspected, as determined by a game official, coach from the applicable student's team, licensed athletic trainer, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, licensed physician, marching band leader, or other official designated by the applicable student's school entity, of experiencing a symptom of sudden cardiac arrest in a practice for an athletic activity or in an athletic activity:
(1) the applicable student shall be removed from practice or play at the time that the symptom is identified; and
(2) the parent of the applicable student shall be notified of the applicable student's symptoms.
As added by P.L.139-2014, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.56-2021, SEC.7.
Ind. Code § 20-34-8-8 Applicable student with symptom of sudden cardiac arrest; return to play or practice
Sec. 8. An applicable student who has been removed from practice or play under section 7 of this chapter may not return to practice or play until the coach, marching band leader, or other official designated by the applicable student's school entity has:
(1) provided the applicable student's parent with information regarding sudden cardiac arrest described in section 5 of this chapter; and
(2) received verbal permission from a parent of the applicable student for the applicable student to return to practice and play.
Within twenty-four (24) hours after giving verbal permission for the applicable student to return to practice and play, the parent must provide the coach, marching band leader, or other official designated by the applicable student's school entity with a written statement that the applicable student has permission to return to practice and play.
As added by P.L.139-2014, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.56-2021, SEC.8.
Ind. Code § 20-34-8-9 Sudden cardiac arrest training requirements; immunity from damages; grants
Sec. 9. (a) This section applies to:
(1) a head coach or assistant coach who coaches an athletic activity;
(2) a marching band leader;
(3) a drama or musical leader; or
(4) a leader of an extracurricular activity in which students have an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest activity as determined by the department in consultation with an organization that specializes in the prevention of sudden cardiac arrest.
(b) An individual described in subsection (a) shall complete the sudden cardiac arrest training course offered by a provider approved by the department in a manner specified by the state board under IC 20-28-5.5-1 or IC 20-28-5.5-1.5.
(c) An individual described in subsection (a) who complies with this section and provides coaching or leadership services in good faith is not personally liable for damages in a civil action as a result of a sudden cardiac arrest incurred by an applicable student participating in an event in which students have an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest for which the head coach, assistant coach, marching band leader, drama or musical leader, or other applicable leader provided coaching or leadership services, except for an act or omission by the individual described in subsection (a) that constitutes gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.
(d) An individual described in subsection (a) shall ensure that an operational automated external defibrillator (AED) is present:
(1) at events in which students have an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest for which the individual described in subsection (a) is providing coaching or leadership; and
(2) as specified in the venue specific emergency action plan for sudden cardiac arrest developed by a school corporation, charter school, or state accredited nonpublic school under subsection (f).
(e) At each event in which students have an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest, an individual described in subsection (a) shall inform all individuals who are coaching or providing leadership at the event in which students have an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest of the location of the automated external defibrillator (AED).
(f) A school corporation, charter school, and state accredited nonpublic school shall do the following:
(1) Develop a venue specific emergency action plan for sudden cardiac arrest that includes:
(A) elements recommended by the American Heart Association, Heart Safe Schools Program, or another similar nationally recognized evidence based program; and
(B) the number and location of automated external defibrillators (AED) that are required to be present at events in which students have an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
(2) Share the plan described in subdivision (1) with each individual described in subsection (a).
(3) Before the beginning of the season of each event in which students have an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest, share the plan described in subdivision (1) with all applicable students.
(g) A school corporation, a charter school, a state accredited nonpublic school or an accredited nonpublic school (as defined in IC 10-21-1-1) may apply for a grant under IC 10-21-1-2(a)(1)(C)(viii) to purchase an automated external defibrillator (AED) if the school corporation, charter school, state accredited nonpublic school or accredited nonpublic school develops a venue specific emergency action plan for sudden cardiac arrest.
As added by P.L.56-2021, SEC.9. Amended by P.L.187-2023, SEC.2; P.L.250-2023, SEC.39; P.L.9-2024, SEC.396; P.L.232-2025, SEC.17; P.L.74-2026, SEC.140.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/20Fetched: 10/17/2026