Legislation Will Help Protect Student Athletes
State Representative Nicole Klarides-Ditria (R-105) introduced and testified in support of two measures that will protect student athletes, including legislation to mandate that coaches have specific exertional heat illness training, and to establish emergency action plans to make sure schools have clear procedures to respond to serious illnesses or accidents.
“I introduced these measures because they are incredibly important to keeping our children safe, and having clear, established guidelines will alleviate confusion if one of these issues arises during athletic competitions or extracurricular activities,” Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria said.
House Bill 6492 – An Act Concerning Education and Training in Exertional Heat Illness for Coaches, Parents, Guardians and Students – will mandate coaches “complete an exertional heat illness awareness education program prior to commencing the coaching assignment for the season of such intramural or interscholastic athletics,” and tasks the “governing authority for intramural and interscholastic athletics, in consultation with an appropriate organization representing licensed athletic trainers, (and) an organization representing sports medical doctors” with establishing best practices and exertional heat illness awareness education programs for use statewide.
“Exertional heat illness can be a silent killer, and it’s incredibly important that coaches, trainers and other adult monitors have the most up-to-date knowledge and training,” Rep. Klarides-Ditria, a certified athletic trainer, said. “I work with coaches and athletes on a regular basis and know how important and needed plans like these are. Making sure adults have the proper training and knowledge to respond to emergency situations will increase safety for everyone.”
Research from the American Council of Science and Health has shown that from 2000 to 2018, 30 NCAA football players died from heat stroke, and the Korey Stringer Institute, which was founded in 2010 after Stringer died from Exertional Heat Stroke during a Minnesota Vikings football practice, has worked very closely with the University of Connecticut to develop an exertional heat stroke prevention institute. A 2020 investigation by the Stringer Institute that evaluated and ranked states by their high school policy and practices regarding sudden deaths of athletes recorded Connecticut in 39th place out of 51 (including the District of Columbia).
Similarly, House Bill 6534 – An Act Concerning Emergency Action Plans (EAP) for Interscholastic and Intermural Events will mandate that boards of education, “in consultation with local emergency medical services providers and allied health professionals, shall develop and implement an emergency action plan for responding to serious and life-threatening sports-related injuries that occur during interscholastic and intramural athletic events.” Those procedures will define who oversees the EAP, what resources are available, descriptions of specific procedures and policies, and more.
“Emergency Action Plans are a first line of defense for catastrophic injuries, and when seconds count, wasted time spent on panicked indecision can change outcomes,” Rep. Klarides-Ditria said. “Schools need a solid plan that provides information so staff can respond to any emergency rapidly and appropriately. EAPs ensure better safety for our student athletes and better support for the staff. It’s important that athletic directors, team physicians, athletic trainers, athletic training students, coaches, strength and conditioning coaches, and local emergency medical services (EMS) are aware and knowledgeable with the EAP.”
Both measures have had public hearings and await further action.