Keeping Youth Athletes Safe: New State Concussion Law Goes into Effect

September 29, 2014
Sen. Bob Duff (D- Norwalk), Sen. Toni Boucher (R-Wilton), Rep. Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield), Rep. Gail Lavielle (R-Norwalk), Sen. Dante Bartolomeo (D-Meriden) and Governor Malloy seated signing the Concussion Law in Westport at Staples High School.

Sen. Bob Duff (D- Norwalk), Sen. Toni Boucher (R-Wilton), Rep. Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield), Rep. Gail Lavielle (R-Norwalk), Sen. Dante Bartolomeo (D-Meriden) and Governor Malloy seated signing the Concussion Law in Westport at Staples High School.

Westport, CT – State Senator Toni Boucher (R-Wilton) Ranking Member of the Education Committee joined area lawmakers in promoting the recently passed change to the state’s Concussion law. The new law – An Act Concerning Youth Athletics and Concussions aims to reduce the number of concussions in children participating in youth athletics.

“More and more medical research suggesting the serious long term effects of a concussion on a young child or teen warranted an update to the law Connecticut had on the books,” said Sen. Toni Boucher.

A concussion is a short-lived brain injury caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head. A concussion changes how the cells in the brain normally work.

The change in the state concussion law calls for the State Board of Education and the Commissioner of Public Health to develop the following:

  • concussion education plans
  • informed consent forms
  • current best practices for concussion prevention
  • requiring local and regional boards of education to compile and report all instances of concussions suffered by children in school

In 2010, the state legislature passed a law requiring student athletic coaches to complete annual training and review regarding concussions and head injuries.

The coaches are also required to complete state approved refresher courses once every five years in order to renew their coaching permits. Most importantly, the law requires a student athlete to be removed from play or other kinds of physical exertion when showing signs of a concussion. The student is also not allowed to resume participation without written clearance from a licensed medical professional.

Symptoms of Concussion can last for hours, days, weeks or longer and include:

  • Appears dazed, stunned or confused
  • Complains of a headache or loss of consciousness
  • Moves clumsily, may complain of dizziness or demonstrate personality changes
  • Answers questions slowly, exhibits slurred speech
  • Is fatigued, seems forgetful or feels “foggy”
  • Cannot recall events prior to or after hitting head
  • May have difficulty concentrating

Concussion can be related to a fall, car accident or moderate blow to the head, but the majority are sports related. An athlete can suffer a concussion in any sport or activity. Even when the physical, and sometimes emotional, symptoms of a concussion have diminished, the brain may not be healed.

Sen. Boucher also adds there are many new innovative pieces of technology being developed and used in schools – like special headbands – that help detect whether a student athlete has suffered a concussion.

For more information on concussions visit http://www.gaylord.org/our-services/rehabilitation/center-for-concussion-care/concussion-resources.aspx
The legislation is Public Act 14-66, An Act Concerning Youth Athletics and Concussions.