Relates to safety training and regulations for the recognition and management of head injuries occurring during school athletic activities

Summary of provisions

Adds a new section 3001-e to the education law to require the Education Department in consultation with various stakeholders to develop regulations requiring training for athletic coaches to recognize the symptoms of concussions and how to seek proper medical treatment,

The bill would also prohibit coaches from permitting students who exhibit signs or have been diagnosed with concussions from participating in athletic events or trainings until they have obtained a release from a licensed health care professional with qualifications established by regulation.

Justification

Concussions are one of the most commonly reported injuries in children and adolescents who participate in sports and recreational activities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that as many as 3.9 million sports and recreation-related concussions occur in the United States each year.

Continuing to play with a concussion or symptoms of head injury leaves the young athlete especially vulnerable to greater injury and even death. Despite some increased recognition about the importance of diagnosing and treating concussions, some affected youth athletes are prematurely returned to play, which can have harmful and potentially even deadly results. It is therefore imperative that adults supervising young athletes in school settings receive proper training to recognize and evaluate concussions and other traumatic sports-related injuries in order to ensure the safety of New York's children who compete in school related sports activities.

Legislative history

2010: S.6297C/A.10890B 2012: Referred to Education

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

July 1, 2015

***END DOCUMENT***

Title of bill

REVISED 12/10/12

An act to amend the New York city charter, in relation to expanding the membership of the board of standards and appeals to thirteen members

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of the bill sets forth the legislative findings and intent of the bill.

Section 2 amends amends subdivision a of section 659 of the New York city charter, as added by local law number 49 of the city of New York for the year 1991, by increasing the number of board of standards and appeals members to 13 from 5, with the 8 additional members to be appointed, one each, by the borough presidents, Public Advocate, Comptroller and City Council.

Section 3 provides for this act to take effect immediately.

Justification

Prior to the 1991 Charter Revision and elimination of the former Board of Estimate, zoning and special permit decisions made by the Board of Standards and Appeals ("BSA") could be reviewed by the Board of Estimate which was comprised of city-wide elected officials including the Mayor, the President of the City Council, the Comptroller and the borough presidents. The effect of this review process was to ensure that the public's voice would be considered in terms of such significant government decision-making. Unfortunately, following the 1991 Charter Revision, the public's voice on such important issues was in effect silenced because the prior review authority of the Board of Estimate on zoning issues was not carried over to any other body of elected officials and the Mayor retained sole appointment powers in the membership of BSA.

This amendment to the Charter will add eight additional members to the BSA to be appointed by the other major elected officials in city government -- the borough presidents, Public Advocate, Comptroller and City Council. The five mayoral appointees will remain and their voices will be tempered by those of the eight additional members appointed by these other elected officials.

This amendment will return the concept of "checks and balances" to the decision making process of BSA and once again add the public's voice to the debate over one of the city's most important government functions - zoning.

Prior legislative history

2011-12: S.6104/A.9196 (Brennan)

Fiscal implications for state and local governments

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.