STAND. COM. REP. NO. 281

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 720

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Education and Higher Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 720 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE CONCUSSION PROGRAM,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate monies to the Department of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science of the University of Hawaii for the concussion education and monitoring program for school athletics and youth athletic activities.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, Hawaii High School Athletic Association, Hawaii Athletic Trainers' Association, and one individual.

     Your Committees find that concussions and other head injuries pose a significant risk to student and youth athletes.  The damage from such an injury often becomes much more severe if the injury is not quickly and accurately recognized and the injured athlete returns to competition too soon.  For this reason, it is vital for students and other youth in the State to have reliable information about concussions, and for student and youth athletes to be tested and monitored for possible concussions.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Higher Education that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 720 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committees on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health and Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Education and Higher Education,

________________________________ KAIALI'I KAHELE, Chair

________________________________ MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair