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.
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The General Court provides this information as a public service and while we endeavor to keep the data accurate and current to the best of our ability, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.