Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA)
Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act
A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 6 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act" aims to establish minimum standards for preventing and treating concussions in school sports. It requires States receiving certain federal funds to implement concussion safety and management plans through local educational agencies. These plans must include training for school personnel, the posting of scientific information, and protocols for responding to injuries. Students suspected of having a concussion must be removed from athletic participation until they receive a written release from a health care professional. The Act also mandates academic support and coordination for recovering students. States that fail to meet these requirements face a reduction in federal funding.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +8
Would students be better off under this?
Students benefit from standardized concussion management, mandatory academic accommodations, and required medical clearances.
- Scored +7
Would children be better off under this?
The bill establishes essential safety protocols and academic supports to protect children from the long-term effects of concussions.
- Scored +5
Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities?
The bill requires schools to evaluate students with persistent concussion symptoms for eligibility under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or Section 504.
The opposite
- Scored -5
Does this put more money into public schools?
States that fail to implement the required concussion management plans face a reduction in their Elementary and Secondary Education Act funding.
- Scored -3
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill mandates potential reductions in federal funding for states that fail to comply with concussion safety standards.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Safety Training and Information: The bill requires training for school personnel, including coaches, teachers, and nurses, on the prevention, recognition, and response to concussions (Section 2, Subsection a, 1, A, i). It also requires schools to post peer-reviewed information regarding the risks, signs, and symptoms of concussions (Section 2, Subsection a, 2).
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Structured Recovery for Students: The Act encourages the use of multi-disciplinary concussion management teams to guide students as they resume athletic and academic activities (Section 2, Subsection a, 1, B, i). This includes providing appropriate academic accommodations such as modified assignments and periods of cognitive rest (Section 2, Subsection a, 1, B, ii and Section 2, Subsection a, 5).
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Standardized Medical Clearance: To ensure safety, the bill requires a written release from a qualified health care professional before a student can resume participation in school-sponsored athletic activities (Section 2, Subsection a, 4).
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Evaluation for Additional Services: For students whose symptoms persist, the bill encourages evaluating them for eligibility under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 2, Subsection a, 1, B, iii).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial Penalties for States: If a State fails to meet the compliance deadline, the Secretary of Education will reduce its funding from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 by 5 percent in the first year, and by 10 percent in subsequent years (Section 2, Subsection b, 1 and 2).
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Mandatory Removal from Activities: Any student suspected of having a concussion must be immediately removed from participation in school-sponsored athletic activities and prohibited from returning until they have a written release from a health care professional (Section 2, Subsection a, 3).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would students be better off under this? — Students benefit from standardized concussion management, mandatory academic accommodations, and required medical clearances. Would children be better off under this? — The bill establishes essential safety protocols and academic supports to protect children from the long-term effects of concussions. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The mandate for academic accommodations and evaluations helps ensure vulnerable students receive necessary educational supports.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into public schools? — States that fail to implement the required concussion management plans face a reduction in their Elementary and Secondary Education Act funding.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill requires schools to evaluate students with persistent concussion symptoms for eligibility under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or Section 504.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill mandates structured medical clearance and coordination with health care professionals for students with concussions.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill mandates potential reductions in federal funding for states that fail to comply with concussion safety standards.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The federal government uses funding penalties to compel states to implement specific educational safety regulations.
- 8/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/18/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/12/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/25/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 2/17/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Sanford BishopDemocrat · Georgia
Don BaconRepublican · Nebraska
Josh GottheimerDemocrat · New Jersey
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Pete StauberRepublican · Minnesota
Frederica WilsonDemocrat · Florida