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| Date: | March 8, 2011 | | Contact Name: | Susan Closmore | | Contact Phone: | 651-296-5712 | | Contact Email: | susan.closmore@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| New Bill Would Improve Concussion Management for Youth Athletes Bipartisan legislation provides education, return-to-play standards |
(ST PAUL, MN) – On Monday, a bipartisan group of Minnesota lawmakers introduced companion bills designed to protect youth athletes who suffer a concussion (HF 905/SF 612). The Center for Disease Control estimates that 3.8 million sports-related concussions occur each year in the United States, and that as many as 40% of youth athletes who sustain a concussion return to play sooner than they should. Sport concussions are now the second leading cause of traumatic brain injury among people aged 15 to 24.
“With adequate rest, most concussions will heal without complication,” said Rep. Rod Hamilton chief House author of the bill. “But if an athlete returns to play too soon – before they have a chance to heal – they run an increased risk of suffering additional concussions, which could lead to prolonged or permanent brain injury, and even death. Our legislation would protect youth athletes who suffer a concussion by removing them from play until their injury heals.”
The elements of this legislation include education and establishing return-to-play standards for youth athletic activities. The bill would inform and educate coaches, officials, youth athletes and their parent(s) or guardian(s) about the symptoms and treatment of concussions. It further instructs coaches and officials who suspect a youth athlete has sustained a concussion to remove them from the game immediately and the athlete must be cleared by a qualified health care professional before returning to play.
“Emerging medical science has found that children and teens are more susceptible to concussions and they take longer to recover than adults,” said Sen. Michelle Benson, the chief Senate author of the bill. “Concussions can occur in athletes of any age and in any sport. If those injuries are not handled properly, the impacts they have on a child’s physical and mental health can last a lifetime. The more parents, coaches, and youth athletes know about concussion symptoms and recovery, the better they can protect youth from brain injury due to concussion.”
At least 12 other states have passed similar concussion-related laws. Early indications are that such laws are working to prevent brain injuries and make sports activities safer for youth. The Minnesota legislation is supported by the Brain Injury Association of Minnesota, the Minnesota Athletic Trainers Association, Sanford Health and many others.
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