House passes bill on student athlete concussions

[September 30, 2010]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House has voted to set federal guidelines on managing concussions among student athletes and protecting young people suffering head injuries from long-term health problems.

The bill would require the government to convene a conference of medical, athletic and education experts to come up with guidelines that address the prevention, identification, treatment and management of concussions in school-aged children. They would include standards for allowing children to return to play after suffering a concussion.

The bill, sponsored by New Jersey Democrat Bill Pascrell, is one of several Congress is considering in response to evidence that improperly treated concussions can cause long-term physical and mental problems. House Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller is behind a bill that would direct school districts to implement concussion safety and management plans.

___

The bill is H.R. 1347.

___

Online:

Congress: http://thomas.loc.gov/

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.