Relates to updating school concussion management and response protocols; requires that the injured student have returned to a full class schedule without academic accommodations prior to resuming athletic activity.
Summary
This bill updates New York’s school concussion management requirements and renames the framework the “concussion management and awareness improvement act of 2025.” It directs the Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Health, to revise rules for students who suffer mild traumatic brain injuries, including concussions, during school or school-related activities. The bill expands required training to include coaches, physical education teachers, nurses, athletic trainers, and medical directors, and allows that training to be completed online or by teleconference if approved by the department.
The bill also strengthens return-to-play and communication requirements. Schools and state agencies must provide concussion information on their websites and include it in sports permission or consent forms. A student suspected of having a concussion must be immediately removed from athletic activity and presumed injured if there is any doubt. The student may not resume athletic activity until symptom-free for at least 24 hours, has returned to a full class schedule without academic accommodations related to the injury, and has written authorization from a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner. The bill also authorizes schools or districts to create concussion management teams to oversee implementation and parent education efforts.
Impact
The bill amends Education Law section 305 to update statewide concussion protocols for public schools and school-sponsored athletic activities. It adds new training and informational duties for schools and state agencies, broadens the list of school personnel covered by mandatory concussion instruction, and changes the conditions that must be met before a student can return to sports after a concussion. It also permits, but does not require, schools and districts to establish concussion management teams and parent outreach programs.
Sentiment
The available context suggests generally supportive sentiment toward the bill, with no recorded votes or committee transcript opposition in the provided materials. The measure appears to build on existing concussion protections by clarifying and tightening return-to-play standards and expanding education and awareness requirements. The bill’s sponsors and caption indicate a public-safety and student-health focus, and the absence of recorded dissent suggests it was not especially controversial in the available record.
Contention
The main policy change with potential contention is the new requirement that a student return to a full class schedule without concussion-related academic accommodations before resuming athletic activity. That standard may be viewed as a stronger safeguard for student health, but it could also be seen as more restrictive than prior practice for students recovering from symptoms. Another possible point of discussion is the expanded list of personnel required to complete concussion training and the inclusion of physician assistants and nurse practitioners as authorized sign-off providers, though the bill text itself does not show recorded opposition.
Relates to updating school concussion management and response protocols; requires that the injured student have returned to a full class schedule without academic accommodations prior to resuming athletic activity.
Relates to updating school concussion management and response protocols; requires that the injured student have returned to a full class schedule without academic accommodations prior to resuming athletic activity.