Rep. Kazarian’s bill requiring athletic trainers to always be present at high school practices and games was heard in committee

STATE HOUSE – Rep. Katherine S. Kazarian’s legislation (2016-H
7639)
that aims to protect high school athletes from concussions and other serious
injuries by requiring all school districts to have an athletic trainer present for
all high school athletic practices and games was heard before the House Committee on
Health, Education & Welfare this past week.
“As we learn more and more everyday about the long term effects and damage caused by
concussions, especially in regards to the still developing brains of youth athletes,
we must ensure that properly trained and licensed medical professionals, such as
athletic trainers, are available to our young athletes in whatever situation that a
concussion could possibly occur,” said Representative Kazarian (D-Dist. 63, East
Providence). “Trained medical professionals are needed to identify and execute the
proper protocols when concussions affect our student athletes in order to protect
their long term health.”
Representative Kazarian’s legislation is an amendment to the School and Youth
Programs Concussion Act in the state’s general laws. In the previous act, school
districts were only encouraged to have an athletic trainer, or similarly trained
person, at all recreational and athletic events. Representative Kazarian’s
legislation requires a licensed athletic trainer be available for all high school
athletic practices and games.
The legislation was held for further study.