Litigation

Pennsylvania Legislature Advances Sports Concussion Legislation

By Michael Kaplen

The Pennsylvania State Senate Education Committee has approved legislation to ensure concussion related injuries in student athletes.  The legislation seeks to ensure that student-athletes who suffer concussions and traumatic brain injuries receive proper care and rest.

Senate Bill 200, also known as the Safety in Youth Sports Act, mandates that students who show signs of brain trauma be taken out of a game and be evaluated by a doctor specializing in brain injury before they return to play.

The measure calls for penalties against coaches who violate the law.

The bill would additionally require the state departments of health and education to post information regarding the risks of head injuries and concussions on their websites, and require students and their parents to review such information.

Coaches would have to receive certified training in the risk of brain injuries.

Full post as published by Brain Injury News and Information on February 20, 2011 (boomark / email).