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July 1, the Second Chance Act officially took effect across Florida, requiring all high school student athletes to receive a medical evaluation, including an electrocardiogram (EKG), before participating in school-sanctioned sports.
House Bill 1135, sponsored by Representative Jason Shoaf and carried in the Senate by Senator Corey Simon (R-Tallahassee) during the 2025 legislative session, was signed by Governor Ron DeSantis last summer. The law is named in honor of Chance Gainer, a star athlete at Port St. Joe High School who collapsed and died from a sudden cardiac arrest during a rivalry football game.
“Today marks more than just the start of a new law, it marks a promise kept. Chance Gainer was a son, teammate and a bright light in our small, tightly knit community. His parents, Equila and JJ, turned this unimaginable grief
into action and I am honored to have stood by their side every step of the way. The Second Chance Act is a promise to every parent in Florida that we will do our best to protect their children,” said Representative Jason Shoaf (R-Port St. Joe).
Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death among student athletes, accounting for approximately 75% of student athlete deaths. Research shows that 1 in every 300 students could have undiagnosed, potentially life-threatening heart conditions, and for 80% of those individuals, cardiac arrest is the first symptom. Early detection through EKG screening offers a solution to these numbers, allowing students to recognize and prevent cardiac arrest before it changes the trajectory of their life forever.
PanCare of Florida, in partnership with Who We Play For, is offering free sports physicals and heart screenings to student athletes across the region.
“Who We Play For is run on a simple belief that no family should have to face the same tragedies the Gainer family did, specifically in circumstances that could be prevented with proper precautionary actions. The Second Chance Act represents the state-wide commitment we need to make these heart screenings accessible to every student athlete in our state. We are proud to partner with Representative Shoaf and the Gainer family to make sure Chance's legacy lives on," said Evan Ernst, founder and CEO of Who We Play For.
As student athletes prepare to return to fall practices, families are encouraged to schedule their child's required sports physical as soon as possible. To learn more about opportunities to attend a free EKG screening event in your community, visit www.whoweplayfor.org/heart-screening-registration.