STAND. COM. REP. NO.  51-12

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2012

RE:   H.B. No. 2273

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 2273 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CONCUSSIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to ensure that public and private high school students, school personnel, and parents are provided with consistent and up-to-date information on concussions and the management of symptoms and injuries relating to a concussion.

     Specifically, this measure requires:

(1)  The Department of Education and the Hawaii High School Athletic Association to develop a concussion educational program for students and student athletes who are 14 to 18 years old that includes educational guidelines;

(2)  That an educational program be developed for every public and private school that is a Hawaii High School Athletic Association member on how to develop a school's concussion awareness plan; and

(3)  The Department of Education to submit a report to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the Regular Session of 2013 on the development and implementation of the concussion educational program.

The Department of Education, Hawaii Medical Service Association, Hawaii Medical Association, National Football League, Hawaii Athletic Trainers Association, Brain Injury Association of Hawaii, and two individuals supported this measure.

     Your Committee recognizes that concussion occurs in all sports and affects all ages.  However, due to the resources and staff that exist primarily at the high school level to oversee a concussion educational program at this time, it is your Committee's intent that the concussion educational program contained in this bill be considered a first step to eventually broaden the program to include students of all ages.  Your Committee encourages the ongoing partnership of the public and private sectors and various organizations to further head injury prevention and treatment and build concussion awareness statewide.  

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2273 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Education.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair