AUSTIN — Texas schools would have to develop standards for dealing with students who suffer concussions while participating in an athletic event or practice under legislation tentatively approved by the Texas House Wednesday night.

A student who sustains a concussion could not participate in the activity again until cleared to do so by a physician.

"It's real important to have procedures in place to safely remove the student-athlete so that they can be evaluated and placed back into play at the appropriate time," said Rep. Walter "Four" Price, R-Amarillo, primary author of HB 2038. "Early removal is key to preventing long-term injury and life-altering injury."

The House passed the bill without opposition. A final vote today is necessary before it moves to the Senate, where approval also is expected.

The bill will be named in honor of Natasha Helmick, a freshman at Texas State University (and ex-TFC player) whose soccer career ended after five concussions in four years. She helped build support for the legislation and watched from the House gallery while lawmakers approved the bill.


'Life-changing'The legislation will elevate awareness of head injuries, keep athletes safer and prolong their careers, Helmick said after the vote.

"It is life-changing," she said of concussion injuries.

About 140,000 high school students suffer concussions each year, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations.

HB 2038 would apply to an interscholastic athletic activity, including practice and competition, sponsored or sanctioned by a school district, a public school, including a charter school, or the University Interscholastic League.

Schools would have to appoint or approve a concussion oversight team, which would establish a concussion protocol based on scientific evidence.

The oversight team would have to include at least one physician and at least one of the following: athletic trainer, advanced practice nurse, neuropsychologist or a physician assistant.

The bill also prohibits a student from participating in an interscholastic athletic activity until both the student and a parent or guardian sign an acknowledgement form stating that written information about concussions and relevant safety policies was received and read.

A student must be removed from practice or from a game immediately if a coach, physician, health care professional, or a parent or guardian believed the student might have sustained a concussion while participating in a sport.

The bill would apply beginning with the 2011-2012 school year.



http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7550933.html


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b0013 wrote:AUSTIN — Texas schools would have to develop standards for dealing with students who suffer concussions while participating in an athletic event or practice under legislation tentatively approved by the Texas House Wednesday night.

A student who sustains a concussion could not participate in the activity again until cleared to do so by a physician.

"It's real important to have procedures in place to safely remove the student-athlete so that they can be evaluated and placed back into play at the appropriate time," said Rep. Walter "Four" Price, R-Amarillo, primary author of HB 2038. "Early removal is key to preventing long-term injury and life-altering injury."

The House passed the bill without opposition. A final vote today is necessary before it moves to the Senate, where approval also is expected.

The bill will be named in honor of Natasha Helmick, a freshman at Texas State University (and ex-TFC player) whose soccer career ended after five concussions in four years. She helped build support for the legislation and watched from the House gallery while lawmakers approved the bill.


'Life-changing'The legislation will elevate awareness of head injuries, keep athletes safer and prolong their careers, Helmick said after the vote.

"It is life-changing," she said of concussion injuries.

About 140,000 high school students suffer concussions each year, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations.

HB 2038 would apply to an interscholastic athletic activity, including practice and competition, sponsored or sanctioned by a school district, a public school, including a charter school, or the University Interscholastic League.

Schools would have to appoint or approve a concussion oversight team, which would establish a concussion protocol based on scientific evidence.

The oversight team would have to include at least one physician and at least one of the following: athletic trainer, advanced practice nurse, neuropsychologist or a physician assistant.

The bill also prohibits a student from participating in an interscholastic athletic activity until both the student and a parent or guardian sign an acknowledgement form stating that written information about concussions and relevant safety policies was received and read.

A student must be removed from practice or from a game immediately if a coach, physician, health care professional, or a parent or guardian believed the student might have sustained a concussion while participating in a sport.

The bill would apply beginning with the 2011-2012 school year.



http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7550933.html


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/right..so our guberment is not able to afford to pay teachers so they want a special panel for school concussions...please.

now we see why there is no money. Spent it all on panels and studies.

This bill looks like it was put in place to protect the school districts and coaches from lawsuits, more than to protect the kids from injury...


"" The bill also prohibits a student from participating in an interscholastic athletic activity until both the student and a parent or guardian sign an acknowledgement (medical waiver..??) form stating that written information about concussions and relevant safety policies was received and read.""

b0013 wrote:This bill looks like it was put in place to protect the school districts and coaches from lawsuits, more than to protect the kids from injury...


"" The bill also prohibits a student from participating in an interscholastic athletic activity until both the student and a parent or guardian sign an acknowledgement (medical waiver..??) form stating that written information about concussions and relevant safety policies was received and read.""

A lawsuit doesn't give you your life back if you die, or your brain capacity if you suffer permanent brain damage. Sounds like they are trying to protect kids, especially ones who have adults (adult coaches and/or overzealous parents) who might try to pressure them into playing when a doctor wouldn't want them to put their brain in jeopardy by coming back too soon or after certain types of injuries that may have serious long-term consequences.

but it doesn't apply to select sports?

It is to bring more awareness to the seriousness of these injuries. even some MDs don't take them seriuosly. I recently had a 16 year old rec player who got concussion symptoms after a game. I was told by the mother that the family MD said there is not much we can do for a minor concussion. He will be fine. I told her I did not want him at pracftice that week and to find a new MD. Something is needed here to protect kids from trainers and coaches who are not qualified to evaluate these injuries.