HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4639

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, April 16, 2020.

The committee on Public Health, to whom were referred the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1842) of Bruce J. Ayers and Joseph M. Kelly relative to directing the Department of Public Health to study the feasibility of reevaluating the process of testing for concussions and similar traumatic brain injuries, the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1876) of Tricia Farley-Bouvier and others  for an investigation by a special commission to study concussions that occur as a result of varsity sports in public and private high schools, and the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3503) of Angelo L. D'Emilia and others relative to baseline concussion testing for student athletes, reports recommending that the accompanying bill (House, No. 4639) ought to pass.

For the committee,

JOHN J. MAHONEY.

        FILED ON: 3/27/2020

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4639

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-First General Court
(2019-2020)

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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:
 

SECTION 1. (a) There shall be a special legislative commission to examine and make recommendations to reduce or eliminate sports-related concussions in public and private middle and high schools in the Commonwealth.     

(b) The commission shall consist of 9 members, one of whom shall be the commissioner of public health or designee, who shall serve as chair, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts; 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association; 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Athletic Trainers of Massachusetts; and 5 of whom shall be appointed by the Governor, 1 of whom shall be a physician with expertise in the management of sports-related concussions; 1 of whom shall be a researcher specializing in the study of the long-term consequences of brain trauma; 1 of whom is a professional whose primary responsibility is that of athletic director at a Massachusetts high school; and 1 of whom is a representative of private school athletic programs in Massachusetts. In appointing members of the commission, consideration shall be given to race, gender and geographic diversity.

(c) The commission shall investigate and report on: (i) the current data on the prevalence and causes of sports-related concussions; (ii) the rules associated with each sport and safety policies currently in effect with respect to each such sport; (iii) the cost and effectiveness of baseline concussion testing of athletes; (iv) methods of reducing and preventing concussions; (v) procedures to be employed by schools to identify and respond to occurrences of concussions; (vi) educational standards and materials on concussions and long-term consequences of brain trauma; and (vii) new methods of detecting concussions, including measurement of brain glucose metabolism.

(d) Not later than two years after the effective date of this act, the commission shall file a report of its findings and recommendations, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry those recommendations into effect, with the joint committee on public health.