S2889119th CongressWALLET

Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Richard Durbin

Introduced

Summary

Establishes minimum concussion-safety requirements for public schools that receive federal education funding. It would set rules on training, immediate removal for suspected concussions, medical clearance before return to play, and academic supports for recovering students.

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  • Families and students: Requires schools to send concussion fact sheets, release forms, and treatment plans to parents and students. It also guarantees guidance and gradual academic accommodations and triggers IDEA or Section 504 evaluations if symptoms persist.
  • Schools and local educational agencies: Must adopt a standard concussion safety and management plan made with community input, train staff including coaches and nurses, post peer-reviewed concussion information, remove suspected-injury students immediately, and get written health clearance before return to athletics.
  • States and funding: States that do not meet the law's rules within up to five full fiscal years would face a 5 percent cut in Elementary and Secondary Education Act funding for the first year of noncompliance and a 10 percent cut the following year if still noncompliant.

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

New school concussion protections

If enacted, each public school district would have to make a concussion safety and management plan with community input. Schools would train staff and post evidence-based concussion information where students and families can see it. If a staff member suspects a concussion, the student would be removed immediately and could not return that day. Students would need a written release from a state-recognized health care professional before resuming athletics. Schools would coordinate academic supports and prompt IDEA or Section 504 evaluations if symptoms last a substantial period.

State deadline and funding penalties

If enacted, States that get ESEA funds but do not meet the bill's concussion rules must adopt laws or regulations by the last day of the fifth full fiscal year after enactment. The Secretary of Education could cut a noncompliant State's ESEA funds by 5% in the first fiscal year after that deadline. If noncompliance continued, cuts would be 10% in later fiscal years. The Secretary must give written notice to the State and Congress before any cut. The bill would say it does not change civil or criminal liability rules.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Richard Durbin

IL • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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