As the nation continues to debate increasing safety in contact sports, Tennessee lawmakers are looking at legislation that would require schools and other organizations conducting youth athletic programs to adopt concussion policies.
The measure was scheduled to be heard in the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday. A similar proposal failed last year.
Rep. Cameron Sexton is the sponsor of the House version of the bill.
Under the proposal, schools are required to “adopt guidelines … as approved by the department of health to inform and educate coaches, school administrators, youth athletes and their parents or guardians of the nature, risk and symptoms of concussion and head injury, including continuing to play after concussion or head injury.”
Sexton didn’t specify issues with the measure that have been worked out, but he said all parties involved seem to be pleased with the current version, which also appears to have bipartisan support.
“We’ve worked hard with all the groups from last year … and they’re all on board with this version of the bill,” said Sexton, R-Crossville.
Earlier this month, President Barack Obama said in an interview on CBS during a Super Bowl pre-game show said that, if he had a son, he would have to think about whether he would let him play football.
Obama, who has two daughters, said the threat of concussions for football players means that everything possible should be done to improve their safety
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