03/18/10

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ A House panel has postponed a final decision
on a bill to require high school athletes who suffer a head injury
get tested by a doctor or trainer before returning to the game.

Members of the House State Affairs Committee said Thursday their
goal is to reduce concussions for prep athletes. But they are
worried the bill would make coaches liable for injuries even if
they are trying to minimize the risk.

Pocatello Democratic Rep. Elaine Smith's bill is modeled after a
law passed last year in Washington. It would require an athlete who
takes a blow to the head to be tested by a licensed athletic
trainer, doctor, nurse or physician's assistant before being
cleared to return to action.

If no medical professional is immediately available, coaches
would have to send the player to a hospital.

The committee will reconsider the bill Monday.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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