Honorable Lois W. Kolkhorst, Chair, House Committee on Public Health
FROM:
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2038 by Price (Relating to prevention, treatment, and management of concussions affecting public and private school students participating in interscholastic athletics.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would require the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to establish a Training and Education Advisory Council. The council would be responsible for the development and maintenance of a 3 hour training course on concussion management.
Local Government Impact
School districts, open-enrollment charter schools, or private schools participating in an interscholastic athletic activity would be required to institute concussion management teams. Some districts already employ or maintain volunteer physicians or athletic trainers, but those that do not would incur the cost of additional staff requirements. A physician would be required in addition to an athletic trainer or neuropsychologist if possible, otherwise a physician’s assistant or advanced practice nurse must be included on the team. Members of the concussion management teams would be required to complete concussion management training approved by the Training and Education Advisory Council every two years. Currently, school district staff and volunteers supporting local athletic programs are already required to complete UIL managed safety training.
School districts, open-enrollment charter schools, or private schools participating in an interscholastic athletic activity would be required to develop consent forms and provide written concussion information materials for student athletes and their parents. They would also need to develop reports of concussion incidents and make those reports available for review and audit by the TEA for five years to maintain athletic interscholastic eligibility. Concussion management teams would be required to develop return-to-play protocols and forms.