HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 112

(By Delegates Ambler, Blackwell, Campbell, Cooper, Duke, Ellington, Espinosa, D. Evans, Hamrick, Hicks, Hornbuckle, Kelly, Kurcaba, Moye, Perdue, Perry, Rodighiero, Rohrbach, Rowan, Statler, Trecost, Upson, Wagner and Westfall)

[March 10, 2016]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study interscholastic student athlete safety issues relating to the development of emergency action plans and policies that would enhance the protection of student-athletes’ health and safety in boys’ and girls’ interscholastic athletic practices and games in the State of West Virginia.

Whereas, The West Virginia Department of Education and the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission strive to protect the health and safety of their student-athletes during all practices and games; and

Whereas, Coaches of all sports should endeavor to conduct programs in a manner designed to address the physical well-being of student-athletes; and

Whereas, Students are more likely to face unnecessary injuries and tragic deaths when emergency policies and procedures are not in place; and

Whereas, Injuries such as concussion, heat illness, and cardiac arrest present a significant threat to the lifetime health and wellness of student athletes; and

Whereas, In order to provide protection to student athletes, schools are encouraged to have heath care professionals such as athletic trainers at competitive athletic practices and games; and

Whereas, The states of Arkansas, North Carolina and Texas have passed legislation requiring that school districts develop and implement emergency plans to ensure that the best care is provided to student athletes throughout the state; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study interscholastic student athlete safety issues relating to the development of emergency action plans and policies that would enhance the protection of student athletes’ health and safety in girls’ and boys’ interscholastic athletic practices and games in the State of West Virginia; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2017, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate any recommendations; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, prepare a report and draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.