SF 3144

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/30/2016 09:15am

A bill for an act
relating to health; requiring the commissioner of health to study and
evaluate the implementation of youth sports concussions protocols and make
recommendations on best practices for reducing and preventing concussions;
appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin YOUTH SPORTS CONCUSSIONS STUDY.
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new text begin (a) The commissioner of health shall study the incidence of brain injury in Minnesota
youth sports, evaluate the implementation of Minnesota Statutes, sections 121A.37 and
121A.38, regarding concussions in youth athletic activity, and identify best practices for
identifying, evaluating, and treating youth sports concussions.
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new text begin (b) The study shall, at a minimum:
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new text begin (1) gather and analyze current data from all regions of the state on the prevalence
and causes of sports-related concussions, including, where possible, data on the number of
officials and coaches receiving initial and online training; the number of coaches, officials,
youth athletes, and parents or guardians receiving information on the nature and risks of
concussions; and the number of youth athletes removed from play and the amount of time
passing between that removal and the athletes' return to play;
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new text begin (2) review the rules associated with relevant youth athletic activities, and the current
concussion education policies;
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new text begin (3) identify best practices and innovative policies in areas such as baseline
concussion testing of athletes, postconcussion treatment, and return-to-learn protocols; and
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new text begin (4) make recommendations regarding:
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new text begin (i) best practices for reducing and preventing concussions;
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new text begin (ii) best practices to be employed by schools to identify and respond to occurrences
of concussions, including return-to-play and return-to-learn;
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new text begin (iii) opportunities to highlight and strengthen best practices with external grant
support;
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new text begin (iv) opportunities to leverage Minnesota's strengths in brain science research and
clinical care for brain injury; and
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new text begin (v) proposals to develop an innovative Minnesota model for identifying, evaluating,
and treating youth sports concussions.
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new text begin (c) Participation in the study by schools, school districts, school governing bodies,
parents, athletes, and related individuals and organizations shall be voluntary, and this
study shall create no new reporting requirements.
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new text begin (d) The commissioner shall submit the results of the study recommendations and
proposals to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over health and human services and education by June 15, 2017.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin $400,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 2017 from the general fund to the
commissioner of health to conduct the youth sports concussions study in section 1. This is
a onetime appropriation.
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