SENATE DOCKET, NO. 428        FILED ON: 1/13/2009

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 805

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act to conduct a comprehensive study of oral injuries in school sports..

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1.The department of public health is hereby authorized and directed to conduct a comprehensive study of oral injuries in school sports.  The department shall investigate and report on the incidence of oral injuries in sports in elementary, middle and high school children.  The department of public health shall collect data on the types of oral injuries, including but not limited to frequency, severity, identification of high-risk sports, and long term impact of oral health injuries on young athletes as well as including the types of sports most frequently associated with such oral injuries. The department of public health shall develop strategic and legislative recommendations to reduce the incidence of oral injuries in school sports including the mandatory use of protective mouth gear in all high-risk sports. The department of public health shall file a report of its study, including its recommendations and drafts of legislation, with the clerks of the Senate and House of Representatives on or before December 31, 2009.