Creates a concussion management advisory board to advise the education department on implementation of the best practices related to concussion management

1 Co-sponsor

• Ruth Hassell-Thompson

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to establishing the New York state head injury awareness and prevention act

Purpose

Proper evaluation and management of concussions, through early intervention and response, will lessen the effects of this potential life threatening injury. Having properly trained individuals evaluate concussions is essential. It is equally important to educate parents and guardians, students, coaches and administrators on the early and accurate recognition of the signs and symptoms of concussions and the potential harmful effects of head injuries not just on the physical well-being of an athlete or student, but on his or her academic performance.

Summary of provisions

The education law is amended adding a new Article 62 establishing the New York State Head Injury Awareness and Prevention Program.

Section 3052 establishes an advisory board composed of experts in the area of concussion diagnosis, treatment and management, who will serve as advisors to the department and school districts.

Section 3053 details the way that the Department of Education will work together with the Advisory Board to promulgate rules and regulations and distribute educational materials, forms and other materials to comply with this statute to school districts throughout the State through a dedicated website.

Section 3054 provides for definitions needed to clarify terms used in the implementation of the statutory framework of this legislation.

Section 3055 establishes the interscholastic sports head injury awareness program, which details the requirements for training coaches, player and parental awareness, and criteria for removing and returning players from play or practice.

Section 3056 establishes the all activity head injury awareness and outreach program for all school activities, and details the information and awareness provisions for teachers, students and parents and guardians and the sequence for identifying head injuries and removing students from activities and returning them to activities after evaluation by an appropriate health care provider.

Section 3057 establishes requirements for training course development and implementation.

Justification

Reported mild traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), commonly known as concussions, occur at all levels of sports play as well as in school gyms, playgrounds and even in the classroom. The New York state Department of Health reports that between 2006 and 2008, more then 23,000 school aged youths in New York visited the emergency department or were hospitalized for concussions annually with the cost of their medical care approaching 480 million. The three-year total cost of hospitalization and emergency department visits was over one billion dollars. Early intervention and response, by the proper evaluation and management of concussions, will lessen the effects of this potential life threatening injury.

Legislative history

2010: S.8420/A.11605

Fiscal implications

Minimal within available programmatic resources of departments.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.