|
For Immediate
Release
11/1/11
Listen
Senator Browne's Concussion Bill Headed to
Governor
Senate Bill 200 provides safeguards for
student athletes
Senate Bill 200, a measure introduced by Senator Pat Browne
(R-16), to increase awareness and prevention of traumatic head
injuries among Pennsylvania's scholastic athletes, is headed to
the Governor for enactment into law.
The Senate today unanimously concurred on House amendments to
the measure and sent the bill on to Governor Corbett for his
signature.
Under Senator Browne's Safety in Youth Sports Act, students
showing symptoms of a concussion can be sidelined by officials,
coaches, athletic trainers, licensed physicians, licensed
physical therapists or other officials designated by the school
and barred from participating in games, competitions, scrimmages
or practices until evaluated and medically cleared by an
appropriate medical professional.
"I appreciate the support of my colleagues for this bill and
hope the Governor will expeditiously sign it into law. Senate
Bill 200 sets clear guidelines for getting injured students off
the playing field and will ensure that they are healthy before
they can return," Senator Browne said.
"There is no reason for a young person to put their life and
future in jeopardy after they sustain a concussive injury. We
want to encourage all students to be active; but, they must be
smart about it and this legislation will provide important
safeguards for them," Senator Browne continued.
SB 200 includes students participating in:
- Interscholastic activities.
- Athletic contests or competitions sponsored by or
associated with a school entity, including cheerleading.
- Sports activities sponsored by clubs and
school-affiliated organizations.
SB 200 sets the following requirements:
- Requires the Department of Health and the
Department of Education post information on risks of head
injuries and concussions on their websites;
- Requires students and their parents review
information regarding the risk of head injuries and concussions
before participation in scholastic sports activities;
- Requires students showing signs of brain trauma be
taken out of a game and be evaluated by an appropriate medical
professional who is trained in the management and evaluation of
concussions before they return to participation – with penalties
for coaches who violate this provision; and,
- Requires training of coaches in the risk of brain
injury in scholastic sports in a program certified by the Center
for Disease Control (CDC) or the National Federation of State
High School Associations.
"It wasn't all that long ago that these injuries were
downplayed. It was common just to say that a player simply got
his "bell rung" after a violent collision. Often, these players
were told to just "shake it off" and get back on to the field,"
Senator Browne said. "We now know that severe and repeated
concussive injuries dramatically impact the brain and too many
players are paying a heavy price for those injuries now. In some
cases, athletes' careers – and even their lives – were cut short
by the intensity and cumulative impact of those injuries."
CONTACT:
Lesley
Darrin
(717) 787-1349
|
