Bills to watch: concussions and hunting

SB 222: High school student athlete concussions

This bill would add training for coaches and increased restrictions related to concussions for student athletes.

If the bill passes, student athletes who have concussions would be required to sit out for at least 24 hours after the accident beginning in July.

Additionally, coaches and assistant coaches in high school football programs would be required to be trained in player safety and concussions every two years.

This class is not required at the moment.

Though the 24-hour provision of the bill would apply to all high school athletes, regardless of what sport they participate in, football players are at a particularly high risk for concussions.

A study released last year by the National Academy of Sciences found the rate of concussions among football players was almost double that of the sport with the next-highest risk, lacrosse.

Authors: Sen. Travis Holdman, R-Markle, Sen. Ron Alting, R-Lafayette, and Sen. Mark Stoops, D-Bloomington

Status: The House of Representatives will vote on the legislation this week. The Senate already approved it 45-1.

SJR 9: Right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife

Senate Joint Resolution 9 is a proposed amendment to the Indiana constitution that says the right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife “is a valued part of Indiana’s heritage and shall be forever preserved for the public good.”

SJR 9 proclaims hunting and fishing should be the preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife.

The amendment would only allow the general assembly to regulate hunting and fishing so far as the purpose of regulation is to promote wildlife conservation and management or preserve the future of hunting and fishing.

Like any other amendment, it must be approved by two consecutive general assemblies and a majority of voters before it can become law.

It has not previously been approved by a general assembly.

Authors: Sen. Brent Steele, R-Bedford, Sen. Carlin Yoder, R-Middlebury, Sen. Dennis Kruse, R-Auburn

Status: It will have its third reading in the House today. It was passed by the House Judiciary Committee after passing the Senate 43-4 on Feb. 3.