SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5238

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Summary of Bill

Requires the University of Washington (UW) and Harborview Medical Center to collect and synthesize research, data, and best practices on concussion recognition, education, and protocols.
Directs UW to develop a website to host this information and to coordinate with the Washington Interscholastic Athletics Association to promote the site.

Background: Concussions and Youth Sports. As defined in state law, concussions are a type of brain injury that can range from mild to severe and can disrupt brain function. Concussions can occur in multiple types of activities, with or without loss of consciousness.

In 2009, the Legislature passed the Zackery Lystedt Law, addressing concussions in youth athletics. Under this law, each school district must work in concert with the Washington Interscholastic Athletics Association (WIAA) to develop guidelines and other pertinent information on concussion education. The law also required yearly informed consent from parents and guardians and established standards for removing players and player re-entry.

The Washington Interscholastic Athletics Association. In Washington State, school boards may delegate control, supervision, and regulation of extracurricular activities to the WIAA or any other voluntary nonprofit entity. There are currently over 400 public and private high schools that are members of the WIAA, and approximately 400 middle and junior high schools as well.

The WIAA oversees athletics and fine arts competitions, including 120 state championship events in sports, debate, drama, and music. The WIAA does not receive financial support from tax dollars or from the state of Washington. Instead, the WIAA is primarily funded through ticket sales to events.

Summary of Bill: UW must maintain a website of up-to-date, concussion-related information and resources. Specifically, the UW Medicine Sports Health and Safety Institute (Institute) and the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center must collect and synthesize research and data in various areas, including:

best practices to improve concussion recognition for all youth athletes and to educate on intervention;
the impact of concussions to female youth athletes and youth athletes participating in non-high-impact sports; and
materials for licensed health care providers on planning with school officials and preventing premature returns to the field of play.

The Institute must develop and maintain a website available to the public to serve as a repository for this information. Furthermore, the Institute must work in conjunction with the WIAA to promote the website to interested parties, including student athletes, parents, teachers, coaches, athletic directors, and health care providers in public and private school districts throughout the state.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The state has done a great job recognizing the impacts of head injuries on boys in football, but more can be done to address injuries in girls' sports. Every coach and parent should be aware of the current research and knowledge on concussions in youth sports. Washington has been at the forefront of concussion-related legislation and can continue to do so by promoting this research.