HB970: HB970 Quality Basic Education Act; expand which healthcare professionals may conduct preparticipation physical examinations

Georgia schools that require physical exams before students play extracurricular sports currently rely on a state-approved form, but the law is being updated on who can conduct the exam and what it must include. This bill amends the Quality Basic Education Act (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-319.2) to specify that the exam must be performed by a qualified healthcare professional, listing licensed medical physicians, doctors of osteopathic medicine, nurse practitioners, or physician's assistants as acceptable examiners. The bill also sets a validity period for these physical exams: 12 months from the exam date, or through the following school year if the exam happens on or after April 1 of the prior year. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, exams must include a cardiovascular prescreening based on nationally recognized guidelines, such as those from the American College of Cardiology or American Heart Association. Schools must also distribute educational materials on sudden cardiac arrest in children to parents or guardians as part of the permission form process.

• Names specific healthcare professionals, licensed physicians, doctors of osteopathic medicine, nurse practitioners, and physician's assistants, who are qualified to conduct student athlete physical exams.
• Sets a 12-month validity period for physical exams, or through the next school year if conducted on or after April 1 of the prior year.
• Requires healthcare professionals to add a cardiovascular prescreening to physical exams beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, following guidelines from groups like the American College of Cardiology.
• Requires schools to distribute educational materials about sudden cardiac arrest in children to parents or guardians during the physical exam and permission form process.

Student athletes in Georgia public schools, their parents and guardians, school districts that require sports physicals, and the healthcare professionals, including physicians, osteopathic doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician's assistants, who conduct these exams.

Families would see a clearer list of who can legally sign off on a sports physical and a set expiration date for those exams. Starting in 2026-2027, student athletes would also get a heart health screening and parents would receive information about sudden cardiac arrest risks in children.

• Section 1 amends O.C.G.A. § 20-2-319.2(c) to specify that a qualified healthcare professional, including a licensed physician, osteopathic doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician's assistant, must conduct the exam.
• Section 1 sets exam validity at 12 months from the exam date, or through the applicable school year if conducted on or after April 1 of the preceding year.
• Section 1 adds a new subsection (e) requiring, beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, a cardiovascular prescreening following nationally recognized guidelines as part of the exam.
• New subsection (e) also requires schools to distribute evidence based educational materials on sudden cardiac arrest in children to parents or guardians alongside permission forms.
• Section 2 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2026-03-31Senate Tabled (Senate)
2. 2026-03-25Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
3. 2026-03-25Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
4. 2026-02-19Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
5. 2026-02-18House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (House)
6. 2026-02-18House Third Readers (House)
7. 2026-02-10House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
8. 2026-01-16House Second Readers (House)

• Rick Townsend (R, HD-179)Primary sponsor
• Dale Washburn (R, HD-144)
• Angie O'Steen (R, HD-169)
• Carmen Rice (R, HD-139)
• Leesa Hagan (R, HD-156)
• Esther Panitch (D, HD-051)
• Mike Hodges (R, SD-003)

1. PassedHouse voteFebruary 18, 2026

   164 yea, 0 nay (3 not voting, 8 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #527

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 31, 2026

   39 yea, 10 nay (2 not voting, 3 absent)

   Motion To Table Remaining Legislation On The Rules Calendar: Senate Vote #912

• student athletics
• school sports physicals
• cardiovascular screening
• education law
• youth heart health