House subcommittee approves bill to improve responses to student athlete concussions

House panel acts on student athlete concussions

WASHINGTON — A House panel has approved legislation to increase the government role in protecting young athletes from sports-related concussions.

The measure cleared by a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee would require the Health and Human Services Department to convene a conference of experts to set concussion management guidelines for student athletes. It also gives the HHS secretary new authority to give grants to states to implement concussion policies and buy equipment to better protect young people.

Studies have found that many student athletes don’t report symptoms of possible concussions despite growing evidence that untreated concussions can have long-term physical and mental consequences.