Rep. Klarides-Ditria, Medical Professionals Urge Lawmakers to Pass Legislation to Keep Student Athletes Safe

HARTFORD – State Representative Nicole Klarides-Ditria ATC/L joined Dr. Sam Scarneo-Miller ATC/L and Dr. Eleni Diakogeorgiou ATC/L at the State Capitol on Monday to urge lawmakers to pass legislation that seeks to protect student-athletes.

The bill, House Bill 5439, would require schools to establish emergency action plans (EAPs) for responding to a serious or potentially fatal sports-related injury.

Rep. Klarides-Ditria ATC/L, who is also a full-time Athletic Trainer at Lauralton Hall, said in her written testimony, “EAPs are crucial and necessary for all schools who sponsor interscholastic athletic activity as a first line of defense for catastrophic injuries. With these types of injuries, seconds count and wasted time spent on panicked indecision can change outcomes. Schools need a solid plan that provides information so the associated staff can respond to an emergency rapidly and appropriately, while remaining controlled and precise.”

Dr. Scarneo-Miller ATC/L, Dr. Diakogeorgiou ATC/L, and Rep. Klarides-Ditria ATC/L all agreed that this bill wouldn’t be burdensome on school districts because the Connecticut Athletic Trainers Association will provide blueprints on how to implement a plan.

“The only cost to the school district is printing out the document,” explained Rep. Klarides-Ditria. ” “Each day that passes without an EAP in place, is a risk for our students and our districts. EAPs help to prevent injuries and save lives by ensuring school districts are properly prepared for emergency situations involving athletic injuries.”

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