HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1916        FILED ON: 1/15/2015

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1938

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Tricia Farley-Bouvier

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act creating a commission to study concussions that occur as a result of varsity sports in public and private high schools.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Tricia Farley-Bouvier

3rd Berkshire

1/15/2015

Brian M. Ashe

2nd Hampden

10/9/2019

Jeffrey N. Roy

10th Norfolk

10/9/2019

Brian R. Mannal

2nd Barnstable

10/9/2019


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1916        FILED ON: 1/15/2015

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1938

By Ms. Farley-Bouvier of Pittsfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1938) of Tricia Farley-Bouvier and others for an investigation by a special commission (including members of the General Court) relative to concussions that occur as a result of varsity sports in public and private high schools.  Public Health.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Eighty-Ninth General Court
(2015-2016)

_______________

 

An Act creating a commission to study concussions that occur as a result of varsity sports in public and private high schools.

 

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

There shall be a special commission to study concussions that occur as a result of varsity sports in public and private high schools.

The commission, of no more than 15 members, shall consist of: the Commissioner of Public Health or her designee, who shall serve as chair; 2 members who will be medical professionals who specialize in head injuries; the executive director of the Brain Injury Association of MA; 1 member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; 1 member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; 1 member appointed by the President of the Senate; and 1 member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate; the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association or her designee; a professional whose primary responsibility is that of Athletic Director at a MA high school; a member who represents private high schools; a parent of a current high school student; coaches and other interested parties.  While appointing this commission consideration will be given to race, gender and geographic diversity.

The purpose of the commission is to analyze current data on the prevalence of sports related concussions and their primary causes; rules associated with each sport and current safety policies.  The commission will then make recommendations for the reduction of occurrences of concussions and procedures for identifying and responding to concussions that do occur, including any necessary legislative changes.

The commission will submit their findings to the Joint Committee on Public Health no later than February 1, 2016 with an interim report filed by December 1, 2015.