New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch held a bill-signing ceremony for his state’s youth-concussion legislation on Monday, making New Hampshire the 39th state (along with the District of Columbia) to enact such a measure.
It becomes effective on Aug. 17, in time for the start of this coming school year.
The New Hampshire law contains at least two of the three provisions of the NFL’s model youth-concussion legislation, in that high school student-athletes suspected of a sports-related concussion must be removed from play immediately, and such student-athletes won’t be allowed to return to play before receiving medical clearance from a health-care provider.
A parent or guardian also must provide written permission before a student-athlete suspected of a concussion can return to play, under the new law.
Where it appears to fall somewhat short, however, is the third prong of the NFL’s model legislation: the mandate that athletes, parents, and coaches