West Virginia Senator Sponsors New Head Injury Legislation

A West Virginia senator who’s long pushed parents, coaches and communities to help protect young athletes from concussions is now sponsoring federal legislation to set safety standards for helmets.

U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller says the Youth Sports Concussion Act would help ensure parents aren’t misled by false and unproven claims from manufacturers of helmets and other safety equipment.

The bill would require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to review a forthcoming study from the National Academies of Science on youth concussions. The commission might then be able to consider new safety standards for sports equipment if manufacturers don’t act on their own.

It would also give the Federal Trade Commission power to consider rules that prohibit false safety claims.

Rockefeller held a discussion on the topic last year in Shepherdstown.