SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 8
(By Senators Prezioso,
Unger, Caldwell, Jenkins, Helmick,
Plymale, Fanning, Ross, Dempsey, Hunter, Rowe, Kessler, Guills,
Sprouse, Oliverio, White, Bowman, Tomblin, Mr. President, and
Sharpe
)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the
adequacy of current law in protecting the health and safety of
West Virginia's secondary and post-secondary student athletes
participating in athletic programs, the utilization of
athletic trainers and other professionals and
paraprofessionals in connection with sports programs in West
Virginia and otherwise protecting the public interest.
Whereas, The Legislature is charged with protecting the public
interest, promoting student health and safety and safeguarding
professional practices; and
Whereas, The state has an interest in the control, supervision
and regulation of middle and junior high school, secondary and
post-secondary school athletic events, as well as in regulating and
monitoring the practice of professions through licensing boards
which are responsible for ensuring the certification of those
professionals practicing in the profession being regulated; and
Whereas, There is increasing awareness that student athletes in competitive individual and team sports in which participation
may result in injury are at a greater risk of serious injury or
death when athletic trainers and other professionals and
paraprofessionals are not present at practices and games; and
Whereas, It is the desire of the Legislature to determine the
specific risks to, and the needs of, West Virginia's student
athletes and the appropriate use and qualifications for athletic
trainers and other professionals and paraprofessionals to minimize
risk and address those needs; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to study the adequacy of current law in protecting the
health and safety of West Virginia's secondary and post-secondary
student athletes participating in athletic programs, the
utilization of athletic trainers and other professionals and
paraprofessionals in connection with sports programs in West
Virginia and otherwise protecting the public interest; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance is also requested to study and evaluate the current risks
to our participating student athletes; the experience of our public
schools, colleges and universities in managing these risks and
protecting student health and safety; the current best practices
with respect to utilizing athletic trainers and other professionals
and paraprofessionals at practices and athletic events; the desirability of promulgating training and certification standards
for athletic trainers and other professionals and
paraprofessionals; and such other related issues as may arise in
the course of this study; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2005, on
its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts
of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be
paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance.