Health bill inspired by deaths of two Middlesex County football players passes House

A new bill inspired by the New Jersey student athlete tragedies has passed the U.S. House of Representatives.

The HEARTS Act addresses sudden cardiac arrest in young people.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Frank Pallone and was inspired by the deaths of two Middlesex County football players who died of the same heart condition.

The bill states that the “Department of Health and Human Services shall disseminate information about cardiomyopathy and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to certain school professionals, families and others, and shall develop risk assessment tools specific to cardiomyopathy.”

Pallone says he wants to make sure schools are better equipped with life-saving resources and training to handle life-threatening cardiac emergencies.

The bill will not be sent to the US Senate.