SF 880

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 02/21/2017 09:09am

A bill for an act
relating to health; requiring the commissioner of health to establish a working
group and pilot programs to improve the implementation of youth sports concussion
protocols and identify best practices for preventing and treating concussions;
appropriating money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin YOUTH SPORTS CONCUSSION WORKING GROUP.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Working group established; duties and membership. new text end

new text begin (a) The
commissioner of health shall convene a youth sports concussion working group to:
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new text begin (1) undertake a study of the incidence of brain injury in Minnesota youth sports; and
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new text begin (2) evaluate the implementation of Minnesota Statutes, sections 121A.37 and 121A.38,
regarding concussions in youth athletic activity, and best practices for preventing, identifying,
evaluating, and treating brain injury in youth sports.
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new text begin (b) In forming the working group, the commissioner shall solicit nominees from
individuals with expertise and experience in the areas of traumatic brain injury in youth and
sports, neuroscience, law and policy related to brain health, public health, neurotrauma,
provision of care to brain injured youth, and related fields. In selecting members of the
working group, the commissioner shall ensure geographic and professional diversity. The
working group shall elect a chair from among its members. The chair shall report to the
commissioner and shall be responsible for organizing meetings and preparing the report.
Members of the working group shall not receive monetary compensation for their
participation in the group.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Study goals defined. new text end

new text begin (a) The working group study shall, at a minimum:
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new text begin (1) gather and analyze available data on:
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new text begin (i) the prevalence and causes of youth sports-related concussions including where possible
data on the number of officials and coaches receiving concussion training;
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new text begin (ii) the number of coaches, officials, youth athletes, and parents or guardians receiving
information about the nature and risks of concussions;
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new text begin (iii) the number of youth athletes removed from play and the nature and duration of
treatment before return-to-play; and
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new text begin (iv) policies and procedures related to return-to-learn in the classroom;
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new text begin (2) review the rules associated with relevant youth athletic activities, and the concussion
education policies currently employed; and
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new text begin (3) identify innovative pilot projects in areas such as:
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new text begin (i) objectively defining and measuring concussions;
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new text begin (ii) rule changes designed to promote brain health;
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new text begin (iii) use of technology to identify and treat concussions;
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new text begin (iv) recognition of cumulative subconcussive effects; and
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new text begin (v) postconcussion treatment, and return-to-learn protocols; and
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new text begin (4) identify regulatory and legal barriers and burdens to achieving better brain health
outcomes.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin (a) By December 31, 2018, the youth sports concussion working group
shall provide an interim report, and by December 31, 2019, the working group shall provide
a final report to the commissioner with recommendations for a Minnesota model for reducing
brain injury in youth sports. The report shall make recommendations regarding:
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new text begin (1) best practices for reducing and preventing concussions in youth sports;
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new text begin (2) best practices for schools to employ in order to identify and respond to occurrences
of concussions, including return-to-play and return-to-learn;
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new text begin (3) opportunities to highlight and strengthen best practices with external grant support;
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new text begin (4) opportunities to leverage Minnesota's strengths in brain science research and clinical
care for brain injury; and
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new text begin (5) proposals to develop an innovative Minnesota model for identifying, evaluating, and
treating youth sports concussions.
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new text begin (b) The commissioner shall submit the report with recommendations and proposals to
the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction
over health and education.
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Sec. 2. new text begin PILOT PROGRAMS.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Pilot programs selected. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall support up to five
pilot programs to improve brain health in youth sports in Minnesota. The commissioner
shall solicit pilot program proposals by December 31, 2017. Each proposal shall be reviewed
by the working group, and the working group will recommend to the commissioner up to
five pilot programs for support.
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new text begin (b) Each pilot program selected for support must offer promise for improving at least
one of the following areas:
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new text begin (1) objective identification of brain injury;
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new text begin (2) assessment and treatment of brain injury;
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new text begin (3) coordination of school and medical support services; or
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new text begin (4) policy reform to improve brain health outcomes.
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new text begin (c) At least one of the programs selected must serve youth in:
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new text begin (1) Central or West Central Minnesota;
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new text begin (2) Southern or Southwest Minnesota;
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new text begin (3) Northwest or Northland Minnesota; and
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new text begin (4) the Twin Cities Metro Area.
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