Bill on student athletes' concussions advances in House of Delegates

By Jim Nolan Richmond Times-Dispatch
Published: February 25, 2010

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RICHMOND - A bill that would require the Virginia Board of Education to develop regulations to identify and treat concussions in student-athletes narrowly passed a House of Delegates subcommittee today.

Senate Bill 652, sponsored by Sen. Ralph S. Northam, D-Norfolk cleared the Republican-controlled subcommittee, 6-4 and now heads to the full House Education Committee.

Northam, a pediatric neurologist, said the legislation would require student athletes believed to have suffered a concussion to sit out of a practice or game for the remainder of the day and require that athlete obtain clearance from a licensed health-care professional before returning to play.

Concerns were raised at the committee over potential liability resulting from implementing guidelines. But proponents of the legislation said the guidelines would protect school systems and personnel from lawsuits by establishing a standard that removes pressure on players, coaches and parents alike from having athletes return to the field before they are fully healed.