Resolve, To Create a Working Group on the Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Concussive Head Injuries in Student-athletes

Sec. 1. Working group. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Education shall establish a working group on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of concussive head injuries in student-athletes. The commissioner shall invite the participation in the working group of representatives from the Maine Principals' Association, the Maine School Superintendents Association, the Maine School Boards Association, the Maine School Management Association and the Acquired Brain Injury Advisory Council, the medical director of health services at Colby College, sports medicine practitioners, medical providers and school athletic directors and trainers and representatives of any other stakeholder group or interested party the commissioner considers appropriate; and be it further

Sec. 2. Duties. Resolved: That the working group established in section 1 shall develop recommendations on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of concussive head injuries in student-athletes, including, but not limited to, avoiding concussive head injuries through education, baseline and post-concussion testing and diagnosis of student-athletes, return-to-play guidelines, training for school athletic directors and athletic trainers, the delivery of post-concussion management services to concussed athletes and ways in which to effectively integrate these education, training and diagnostic recommendations into school athletic programs; and be it further

Sec. 3. Report. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Education shall report the findings and recommendations of the working group established in section 1 to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs no later than March 1, 2010; and be it further

Sec. 4. Legislation. Resolved: That the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs may submit a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 124th Legislature on the issue of concussive head injuries in student-athletes following receipt of the report required in section 3.