Pennsylvania Considers Concussion Legislation

State Rep. Tim Briggs, D-Montgomery hosted a House Majority Policy Committee hearing in February to discuss the risk of brain injury in youth sports. Specifically, the committee is looking at how Pennsylvania can better manage concussions that happen in youth sports and increase awareness of the seriousness of concussions and the devastating, life-long effects they can cause.

Last year Rep. Briggs introduced legislation (H.B. 2060) which would require a player who has sustained a concussion or brain injury to not return to play unless cleared by a licensed health-care provider. Additionally, this measure would require a student's parent or guardian to sign a concussion and head injury information sheet prior to the student's participating in practice or competition. This signature would be required each year. Briggs said this is the most important part of the bill as it helps increase awareness about the seriousness of brain injuries.

Student athletes in Pennsylvania return to the field too soon after suffering concussions or other brain injuries. Representative Briggs said, "The better informed parents and children are about the dangers of getting back in the game too soon, the better chance we have at preventing serious brain damage. The mentality of 'shake it off and get back in the game' needs to be replaced with 'concussions are nothing to shake off.'"

According to the CDC, as many as 3.8 million sports and recreation-related concussions occur in the United States each year, and for Pennsylvania the figure could be as high as 156,000 concussions per year.

Among the supporters of Briggs' H.B. 2060 are:
• Keith Primeau, former captain of the Philadelphia Flyers, whose own career was cut short by the injuries his brain sustained on the ice; • Dr. Matt Grady, a pediatric sports medicine specialist with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia;• Rick Burkholder, head athletic trainer for the Philadelphia Eagles; • the Brain Injury association of Pennsylvania, • and many student athletes who have sustained life-altering injuries as a result of a concussion.

Please consider making a personal contact to support this important legislation.

CONTACT: Matt Goldfine
Chief of Staff, State Rep. Tim Briggs Phone: 215-500-1667