Briggs Pushes Through 'Youth Sports Act' in State House

State Rep. Tim Briggs (D-149th) announced Wednesday the unanimous passage of in Harrisburg of the Safety in Youth Sports Act, "designed to improve concussion management  in youth sports and to increase awareness regarding the devastating, life-long effects they can cause when not handled properly."

The bill now moves to the Senate, and if passed, on to the governor for his signature.

Briggs co-introduced the bill (S.B. 200) with State Sen. Pat Browne (R, 16th). It "aims to ensure that male and female student athletes who suffer concussions receive proper care and rest before they get back into the game," and follows on the heels of much publicity paid to concussions at the professional and collegiate athletics levels. 

The bill stipulates that players showing symptoms of a concussion should be removed from play and not able to return until cleared by "an appropriate medical professional."

The bill also:

• Would require students and a parent or guardian to annually read and sign a concussion and head injury awareness sheet before the student participates in practice or competition, to include materials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Head's Up program.
• Require coaches annually to complete a concussion certification course, such as the free online course offered by the CDC.
• Include cheerleading and club sports like rugby and hockey (often not covered under legislation in other states, Briggs said)