Feb 11, 2015More Oversight Needed?
New legislation introduced by an Illinois state senator is designed to help high schools in the state manage a student-athlete’s concussion. However, some athletic directors in the the state find the bill a bit redundant.
According to an article in the Chicago Sun-Times:
- Each school would create a concussion oversight team made up of a doctor, nurse, athletic trainer, and other medical professionals.
- Return-to-play decisions would be in the hands of doctors, not coaches.
- Parents would have to sign consent forms after their child was treated by doctors.
- Emergency action plans would need to be posted and rehearsed regularly.
State Senator Dan Kotowski, who sponsored the bill, told the Sun-Times that student safety was paramount in its creation:
“I want to make sure the kids participate and enjoy the opportunity to play the game but also that they’re healthy and safe,” he said.
Kurt Gibson, Associate Director of the Illinois High School Association, was in favor of some of the provisions of the bill, but added that many of the details are similar to what’s already in the state’s policy:
“The way it is currently written, we’re not seeing much difference as it relates to concussion and return-to-play, how it’s much different than what we have now,” he told the Sun-Times.