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West VirginiaSB 6572026 Regular SessionSenate

Creating Cohen Craddock Student Athlete Safety Act

Sponsored By: Amy Grady (Republican)

Failed

§18-36-1§18-36-2§18-36-3§18-36-4§18-36-5House Education

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

New concussion safeguards for student athletes

West Virginia’s education board must set concussion rules with input from the state physical therapy board. Schools must adopt plans covering concussion education, prevention, training, and response. These plans cover school athletics, youth leagues on school grounds, and activities overseen by the state school activities commission. The initial rules must follow existing state concussion requirements and identify who must receive education. Either board can recommend changing those existing requirements if it finds a better approach to education or prevention.

Safety equipment grants help student athletes

West Virginia’s education department runs the Cohen Craddock Memorial Grant Program. Public schools and county education boards can apply to cover some or all costs of safety equipment covered by the law. Awards are first-come, first-served, with amounts set by available money; the law states no funding amount. The grant fund can receive state appropriations, federal funds, private donations, grants, bequests, and other support. Unspent money stays in the fund after year-end, and fund money and investment earnings remain reserved for the law’s purposes.

Student football players need protected helmet covers

Beginning July 1, 2026, middle and high school football players must use impact-reducing soft-shell helmet covers during school-organized practices. Covers must stay attached during likely collisions and practice activities where players normally wear helmets. Using a cover cannot cancel or limit a helmet warranty, safety certification, or safety guarantee. Those protections require approval by at least one helmet manufacturer and attachment without changing or damaging the helmet. The law does not say who pays for the required covers.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Amy Grady

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Trenton Barnhart

    Republican • Senate

  • Vince Deeds

    Republican • Senate

  • Mike Oliverio

    Republican • Senate

  • Rupie Phillips

    Republican • Senate

  • Eric Tarr

    Republican • Senate

  • Mike Woelfel

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 66 • No: 2

Senate vote • 3/3/2026

Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 295)

Yes: 34 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/3/2026

Passed Senate (Roll No. 294)

Yes: 32 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. House received Senate message

    3/5/2026House

  2. Introduced in House

    3/5/2026House

  3. To Education then Finance

    3/5/2026House

  4. To House Education

    3/5/2026House

  5. On 3rd reading

    3/3/2026Senate

  6. Read 3rd time

    3/3/2026Senate

  7. Passed Senate (Roll No. 294)

    3/3/2026Senate

  8. Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 295)

    3/3/2026Senate

  9. Ordered to House

    3/3/2026Senate

  10. On 2nd reading

    3/2/2026Senate

  11. Read 2nd time

    3/2/2026Senate

  12. On 1st reading

    2/27/2026Senate

  13. Read 1st time

    2/27/2026Senate

  14. Com. sub. for com. sub. reported

    2/26/2026Senate

  15. Committee substitute reported, but first to Finance

    2/13/2026Senate

  16. To Finance

    2/13/2026Senate

  17. Filed for introduction

    1/29/2026Senate

  18. To Education then Finance

    1/29/2026Senate

  19. Introduced in Senate

    1/29/2026Senate

  20. To Education

    1/29/2026Senate

Bill Text

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