SB 866: Requiring WV Board of Education to promulgate legislative rule in consultation with WV Board of Physical Therapy - West Virginia

sb866 sfa martin _1 4-12 adopted.htm → sb866 sfat martin _1 4-12 adopted.htm · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill's title was updated to more accurately reflect its contents, while the detailed amendment text proposing new helmet cover requirements and grant provisions was removed. This change simplifies the bill by eliminating a specific amendment proposal that would have added detailed rules about football helmet covers, grant programs, and exemptions.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on concussion prevention and helmet safety, but the detailed implementation provisions regarding helmet covers and funding were removed from the amendment text.

TECHNICAL

The bill title was changed from 'SB866 SFA MARTIN #1 4-12' to 'SB866 SFAT MARTIN #1 4-12', correcting a name formatting issue.

REQUIREMENT

Detailed requirements for impact-reducing soft-shell helmet covers for football players, including attachment standards and safety exemptions, were removed from the amendment text.

FISCAL

Provisions establishing the Cohen Craddock Memorial Grant Program and the associated special revenue fund for purchasing safety equipment were removed.

ENFORCEMENT

Disciplinary action guidelines for schools not complying with helmet cover requirements were removed from the amendment text.

TIMELINE

Specific implementation dates (July 1, 2026) and termination dates (July 1, 2030) for the helmet cover requirements were removed.

sb866 hfat ellington 4-9 adopted.htm → sb866 sfa martin _1 4-12 adopted.htm · 7 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to replace a requirement for concussion education plans with new rules mandating impact-reducing soft-shell helmet covers for football practice starting July 1, 2026. The amendment adds specific exemptions for superior helmets, establishes a Cohen Craddock Memorial Grant Program to help schools afford the equipment, and sets a sunset date of July 1, 2030.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from general concussion education requirements to specific football helmet safety equipment requirements with funding mechanisms.

REQUIREMENT

Mandates impact-reducing soft-shell helmet covers for all interscholastic football practice starting July 1, 2026

Replaced concussion education plan requirement with specific helmet cover mandate

EXEMPTIONS

Exempts football helmets that exceed safety profiles when used with soft-shell covers

FISCAL

Creates Cohen Craddock Memorial Grant Fund to help schools purchase required safety equipment

TIMELINE

Sets termination date of July 1, 2030 unless extended by Legislature

ENFORCEMENT

Establishes disciplinary actions for non-compliance through WV Secondary Schools Activities Commission

DEFINITION

Adds warranty protections for helmet manufacturers when soft-shell covers are used in certified manner

sb866 hed am adopted.htm → sb866 hfat ellington 4-9 adopted.htm · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to change its title and add a specific requirement for schools to develop a Concussion Education, Prevention, and Response Plan. The original version included comprehensive concussion management rules covering athlete removal, medical clearance, and reporting, while the amendment narrows the focus to requiring schools to create a formal response plan.

Scope change

The scope was narrowed from a comprehensive concussion management framework to a specific requirement for schools to develop a concussion response plan.

TITLE

The bill title was changed from 'SB866 HED AM' to 'SB866 HFAT Ellington 4-9' to reflect Delegate Ellington's amendment.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission must mandate member schools develop a Concussion Education, Prevention, and Response Plan.

Removed comprehensive concussion management rules including mandatory athlete removal from play, medical clearance requirements, coach training mandates, and detailed reporting protocols.

Introduced Version → sb866 hed am adopted.htm · 7 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to shift responsibility for concussion rule-making from the West Virginia Board of Education to the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission, with added requirements for annual education, reporting, and plan development. The amendment also includes detailed findings about concussion risks and specific operational requirements for schools and coaches.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from requiring the Board of Education to create rules to requiring the Secondary School Activities Commission to promulgate rules, with expanded requirements for school compliance and reporting.

REQUIREMENT

Rule-making authority transferred from West Virginia Board of Education to West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission

Added requirement for annual concussion education courses for head coaches

Added requirement for annual signed concussion information sheets from athletes and parents

Added requirement for schools to submit concussion incident reports within 30 days to the Commission

Added requirement for schools to develop a written Concussion Education, Prevention, and Response Plan

ENFORCEMENT

Added disciplinary actions for schools that fail to comply with concussion requirements

DEFINITION

Added definitions for 'interscholastic athlete' and 'licensed health care professional'

Requiring WV Board of Education to promulgate legislative rule in consultation with WV Board of Physical Therapy

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