To Define Healthcare Provider Regarding Student Athlete Concussion Education.
Summary
HB1140 amends Arkansas law governing student athlete concussion education by revising the statutory definition of “healthcare provider” in Arkansas Code § 6-18-710. The bill expressly lists several licensed or authorized professionals who may qualify, including physicians, doctors of osteopathic medicine, neuropsychologists, advanced practice registered nurses, certified athletic trainers, physician assistants, and physical therapists. This definition is used in the section of law addressing concussion education for student athletes.
The bill also clarifies the meaning of “youth athletic activity.” It defines the term as an organized athletic activity in which a majority of participants are under 19 years old and are either competing against another team, club, or entity, or practicing/preparing for such competition. It further excludes college or university activities and activities that are merely incidental to a nonathletic program.
Impact
HB1140 would update and clarify the statutory framework for concussion education for youth sports in Arkansas by specifying which professionals count as healthcare providers under the law. This could affect schools, athletic programs, coaches, trainers, and medical personnel involved in concussion protocols, return-to-play decisions, and related education requirements. It also narrows and clarifies which activities are covered as youth athletic activities, potentially affecting the scope of programs subject to concussion education rules.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the bill appears to be a technical, noncontroversial clarification measure. Its language suggests an effort to align the statute with current practice and to reduce ambiguity about who may serve in relevant healthcare roles for student athlete concussion matters. No opposition or support was documented in the provided context.
Contention
No specific points of contention are shown in the available committee transcripts or voting history, because none were provided. Potential areas of interest, however, could include whether the expanded list of healthcare providers is sufficiently broad for concussion-related decisions and whether the definition of youth athletic activity appropriately excludes college/university programs and nonathletic activities. Those issues are implicit in the drafting, but no formal dispute is recorded here.