Bill To Better Protect Student Athletes Awaits Signature From Governor Haslam

A Republican-authored bill designed to protect student athletes who suffer concussions from risking further medical complications passed the full House floor this week with support from lawmakers on both sides of the isle.

House Bill 867, as passed by both the House and Senate, will ensure guidelines are in place to help coaches, youth athletic instructors, and parents recognize a concussion and its symptoms in order to keep an injured player from risking their health by returning to competition too soon.

In addition, the legislation will help schools and organizations develop a policy of removing youth from sports activity who show signs of concussion until they receive a medical evaluation from a licensed doctor stating they are clear to return to play.

According to the most recent national data from the Centers for Disease Control, 248,418 athletes under the age of 18 suffered concussions in 2009 alone.

The legislation has support from the Tennessee Medical Association, the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association, and the National Football League, which has backed such laws in state legislatures across the country.