New Jersey-2012-A4345-Introduced

An Act concerning physical examinations of children and supplementing Titles 26 and 45 of the Revised Statutes.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. A licensed health care professional who performs an annual physical examination of a child 19 years of age or younger shall include as part of that examination questions that evaluate a child's family history related to cardiac conditions contained in the "Preparticipation Physical Evaluation" form developed jointly by the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Sports Medicine, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine.

2. a. The Commissioner of Health, in consultation with the New Jersey Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the New Jersey Academy of Family Physicians, the American Heart Association, and the New Jersey Chapter of the American College of Cardiology, shall develop a cardiac screening professional development module to increase the assessment skills of those health care practitioners who perform annual physical examinations of children 19 years of age or younger pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill). The module shall include, but need not be limited to, the following:

(1) completing and reviewing a detailed medical history with an emphasis on cardiovascular family history and personal reports of symptoms;

(2) identifying symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest that may require follow-up assessment with a cardiologist;

(3) recognizing normal structural changes of the heart;

(4) recognizing prodromal symptoms that precede sudden cardiac arrest;

(5) performing the cardiovascular physical examination; and

(6) reviewing the major etiologies of sudden unexplained cardiac death with an emphasis on structural abnormalities and acquired conditions.

3. The New Jersey Board of Nursing shall require that, in addition to any other requirements provided by law, an applicant for renewal of certification as an advanced practice nurse who performs annual physical examinations of children 19 years of age or younger, attest that, in the period since the applicant's certification was last renewed, the applicant has completed the cardiac screening professional development module developed pursuant to section 2 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).

4. The State Board of Medical Examiners shall require that a person licensed to practice medicine and surgery and who performs annual physical examinations of children 19 years of age or younger, as a condition for biennial registration, attest that, in the period since the person's last biennial registration, the person has completed the cardiac screening professional development module developed pursuant to section 2 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).

5. The State Board of Medical Examiners shall require that, in addition to any other requirements provided for by law, an applicant for renewal of licensure as a physician assistant who performs annual physical examinations of children 19 years of age or younger, attest that, in the period since the person's license was last renewed, the person has completed the cardiac screening professional development module developed pursuant to section 2 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).

6. The Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), and in consultation with the Commissioner of Health, shall adopt rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of this act.

7. This act shall take effect on the first day of the fourth month next following the date of enactment, but the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs and the Commissioner of Health may take such anticipatory administrative action in advance thereof as shall be necessary for the implementation of this act.

STATEMENT

This bill requires that an annual medical examination of any child 19 years of age or younger include questions contained in the "Preparticipation Physical Evaluation" form developed to screen students seeking to participate in school-sponsored athletics.

The bill further requires that the Commissioner of Health, in consultation with the New Jersey Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the New Jersey Academy of Family Physicians, the American Heart Association, and the New Jersey Chapter of the American College of Cardiology, develop a cardiac screening professional development module, which advanced practice nurses, physicians, and physician assistants performing medical examinations would be required to periodically complete. These individuals would be required to attest to their completion of the module upon renewal of certification, registration, or licensure, as applicable.

The bill directs the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety, in consultation with the Commissioner of Health, to adopt rules and regulations to effectuate its purposes.

The bill takes effect on the first day of the fourth month following its enactment, but authorizes the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs and the Commissioner of Health to take prior administrative action as necessary for its implementation.