U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN) last week backed a bipartisan bill that would make federal education funding contingent on states establishing requirements and guidelines for local school districts on preventing and treating concussions among K-12 students.
“As a former hockey player, I am well aware that concussions are a serious injury that can cause grave repercussions down the road if they are not properly addressed,” Rep. Stauber said. “By raising awareness on the danger of concussions and directing states to establish concussion safety guidelines for schools, we will be better equipped to protect young athletes from the potentially devastating consequences of concussions.”
Rep. Stauber on Jan. 15 cosponsored the Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act of 2020, H.R. 5611, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) to direct states to establish comprehensive guidelines for schools on the treatment of youth sports concussions and help inform students on the signs, symptoms and risks of concussions, according to a bill summary provided by the congressman’s office.
“Together with a community of schools and medical professionals, we can make real progress toward protecting our student athletes,” said Rep. DeSaulnier.
If enacted, the bill would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require that as a condition of receiving funds under that act, a state shall certify to the Secretary of Education that the state has in effect and is enforcing a law or regulation that establishes several requirements, including the development and implementation of a standard plan for concussion safety and management for public schools, according to the text of the bill.
H.R. 5611 is supported by numerous organizations, including the National Football League, Major League Baseball, the U.S. Soccer Federation, the National Hockey League, the National Athletic Trainers Association, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and the National Parent Teacher Association, among others.