An Act To Protect School Athletes from Head Injuries

Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §6555  is enacted to read:

§ 6555.  Head protection for certain athletic activities

Beginning July 1, 2014, a student while participating in field hockey, lacrosse, snowboarding or skiing as part of the curriculum or as an interscholastic sport for an elementary school or secondary school shall wear headgear that is designed for that sport and provides adequate protection from head injuries that may occur while participating in that sport.

Sec. 2. Working group to study field hockey and lacrosse injuries. The Commissioner of Education, no later than October 15, 2013, shall convene a working group to study the injuries that occur to students in elementary and secondary schools while participating in field hockey and lacrosse. The working group shall determine what measures may be taken, including but not limited to the use of protective equipment, to avoid injuries and to avoid aggravating or exacerbating existing injuries. The working group shall report its findings, with any necessary implementing legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs no later than January 15, 2014. The joint standing committee may submit legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 126th Legislature based upon the report.

summary

This bill requires all students participating in field hockey, lacrosse, snowboarding or skiing as part of an activity of an elementary or secondary school, beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, to wear protective headgear. This bill also requires the Commissioner of Education to convene a working group to study the injuries that occur to students participating in field hockey and lacrosse and determine measures, including the use of protective equipment, that may be taken to avoid injuries. The working group is required to report its findings to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs, which may submit legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 126th Legislature.