ARTICLE 13.3. COVID-19 Youth Health Information Act [33477 - 33477.9]
( Article 13.3 added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 123, Sec. 1. )
This article shall be known, and may be cited, as the COVID-19 Youth Health Information Act.
(Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 123, Sec. 1. (AB 856) Effective July 23, 2021. Inoperative July 1, 2024, pursuant to Section 33477.9. Repealed as of January 1, 2025, pursuant to Section 33477.9.)
For purposes of this article, the following definitions apply:
(a) “Exercise and physical activity” includes all of the following:
(1) Interscholastic athletics.
(2) An athletic contest, event, or competition, other than interscholastic athletics, sponsored by a school, including cheerleading and club-sponsored sports activities.
(3) Noncompetitive cheerleading sponsored by a school.
(4) Practices, conditioning, drills, and scrimmages for all of the activities
listed under paragraphs (1) to (3), inclusive.
(5) Physical education classes.
(b) “Licensed healthcare provider” means a licensed medical practitioner skilled in the evaluation and screening of youth heart conditions related to viral exposure.
(c) “School” means a public elementary or secondary school, including a charter school, or a private school that conducts athletic and physical activities.
(Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 123, Sec. 1. (AB 856) Effective July 23, 2021. Inoperative July 1, 2024, pursuant to Section 33477.9. Repealed as of January 1, 2025, pursuant to Section 33477.9.)
(a) The department shall post on its internet website information related to the safe return of pupils to exercise and physical activity after exhibiting signs or symptoms of, or testing positive for, COVID-19, including current American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines for (1) a preparticipation screening evaluation, with a special emphasis on cardiac symptoms, with a licensed health care provider to evaluate health and heart risks associated with COVID-19, and (2) “gradual return to play” protocols, according to whether the pupil’s COVID-19 was mild, moderate, or severe.
(b) The department shall include in its posts made pursuant to subdivision (a) American
Academy of Pediatrics guidelines for pupils to obtain medical clearance before returning to exercise and physical activity after exhibiting signs or symptoms of, or testing positive for, COVID-19, and the gradual return to play protocols, relative to the severity of symptoms.
(c) Materials posted by the department on its internet website pursuant to this article may include, but are not necessarily limited to, those developed by the Eric Paredes Save A Life Foundation, the California Interscholastic Federation, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, and the California Athletic Trainers’ Association.
(d) The department shall monitor best practices and evolving guidelines on the safe return of pupils to physical activity after
exhibiting signs or symptoms of, or testing positive for, COVID-19, and shall update its internet website in response to new information.
(e) The department shall encourage schools and school districts to give pupils and their parents and guardians ready access to the information obtained pursuant to this article by posting it on their internet websites, and actively distributing this information via postal mail, email, newsletter, meetings, in registration and sports clearance packets, or in person.
(Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 123, Sec. 1. (AB 856) Effective July 23, 2021. Inoperative July 1, 2024, pursuant to Section 33477.9. Repealed as of January 1, 2025, pursuant to Section 33477.9.)
This article shall become inoperative on July 1, 2024, and, as of January 1, 2025, is repealed.
(Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 123, Sec. 1. (AB 856) Effective July 23, 2021. Repealed as of January 1, 2025, by its own provisions. Note: Repeal affects Article 13.3, commencing with Section 33477.)