Rep. Pruett Weighs in On Concussion Bill Passing Senate

ATLANTA, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — State Representative Jimmy Pruett says before the senate approved House Bill 284 Tuesday night, he was nervous.

Pruett says the senate shot down several measures, but it did approve the bill that is aimed at protecting some of Georgia’s youngest athletes.

HB 284 establishes protocol for dealing with concussions at school related sporting events. It mandates each school system come up with a plan for dealing with the injuries. It also says if a child shows symptoms of a concussion, he or she needs to be removed from play. The child can only return to the sport when he or she is cleared by a licensed health care professional.

The bill also eliminates any liability from school professionals.

“If a coach puts a child back in the game and he didn’t realize that he may have had a concussion, there’s no liability whatsoever,” said Pruett.

He called the bill a simpler form of legislation that failed in the 2012 session. Pruett says the legislation is similar to measures in practice in 43 other states.

Pruett drew up the legislation based on facts about concussions. He said modern science shows that the long-term effects of one or more concussions can cause serious damage.

“Even when I played you know, you get some smelling sauce, you go back in the game, you know and uh that’s just the way we did it, not because anybody didn’t care but just because they didn’t know the consequences of having this kind of blow,” said Pruett.

Peach County High School, head football coach, Chad Campbell knows how devstating those blows can be. He and his staff already have a practice in play when a potential head injury happens.

“Right then and there if we see anybody that we feel like, you know, took a shot on the head or something. Our trainer goes right in and looks at him. They’re out until he lets us know, hey he’s good to go, or coach he’s done,” said Campbell.

Campell is in full support of the entire state having their own game plan in place.

“It’s going to benefit everybody, and I’m glad we already got it in place for us,” said Campbell.

Since it’s been approved by both the house and senate, the bill will go to Governor Nathan Deal to be signed into law.