H.R. 1347 is expected to be considered on the House floor on Wednesday, September 29, 2010, under a suspension of the rules, requiring a two-thirds majority vote to pass.  Rep. Pascrall (D-NJ) introduced H.R. 1347 on March 5, 2009, and it was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. 

H.R. 1347 would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to do the following: (1) Establish concussion management guidelines that address the prevention, identification, treatment, and management of concussions in school-aged children, including standards for student athletes to return to play after a concussion; and (2) Convene a conference of medical, athletic, and educational stakeholders to establish such guidelines.

In addition, the bill would authorize the Secretary to make grants to states for the following: (1) adopting, disseminating, and ensuring the implementation by schools of the guidelines; and (2) funding implementation by schools of computerized preseason baseline and post-injury neuropsychological testing for student athletes.

Lastly, the bill would direct the Secretary to require states to utilize, to the extent practicable, applicable expertise and services offered by local chapters of national brain injury organizations.

Concussions are mild brain injuries, but the long-term effects are not well known.

As of publication, the Congressional Budget Office had not released an estimate of H.R. 1347.     

Member concerns:

Some members may be concerned that H.R. 1347 creates new programs and expands grants.