Idaho Considers Changes to State Concussion Law

Athletics coaches and officials would be required to remove players from games who show signs of a concussion, according to a measure aimed at boosting protections for young athletes who suffer head injuries.

Rep. Erik Simpson of Idaho Falls wants to strengthen laws passed in 2010 in the wake of several severe concussion cases.

According to Simpson’s proposal, an athlete could return to play if he or she were cleared by a qualified medical professional.

Parents couldn’t make the decision, Simpson said, to eliminate conflicts of interest.

Though some lawmakers at Tuesday’s House State Affairs Committee hearing worried the bill saddles coaches with undue responsibility, Rep. Carlos Bilbao of Emmett says it would help remedy dangerous situations where a head injury could be a “death warrant” for a young athlete.