Sponsors (5)
Introduced February 17, 2026 by Mark James Desaulnier · Last progress February 17, 2026
The bill improves concussion identification, consistent medical standards, and academic supports for students but imposes new costs, administrative burdens, potential supervision/liability demands on school staff, and access risks tied to medical-release and provider-definition requirements.
Students (and school staff/parents) will get a standardized medical definition plus consistent concussion education and posted signs/symptoms guidance, improving earlier identification and more consistent school responses.
Students recovering from concussions will receive coordinated academic supports (cognitive rest, modified assignments, gradual return-to-learn) to reduce learning disruption.
Students will benefit from clearer clinical roles and uniform best-practice/multidisciplinary team approaches so licensed providers with relevant expertise are more likely to manage return-to-learn and return-to-play decisions consistently.
Schools and states will incur administrative and training costs to develop plans, train staff, maintain materials, and update policies, which could divert local educational funds and strain budgets.
States that do not comply risk ESEA funding reductions (phased 5% then 10%), which could reduce resources for other K–12 programs and indirectly harm students and educators.
Requiring a written medical release and narrowing who counts as an acceptable 'health care professional' could delay students' return-to-play and create access or cost barriers for families—especially in rural or underserved areas where appropriate clinicians are scarce.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Requires states receiving federal K–12 funds to adopt concussion-safety laws/regulations and requires schools/LEAs to implement concussion plans, training, reporting, and website information within five fiscal years.
Requires States that receive federal K–12 education funds to adopt minimum concussion-safety laws or regulations within five full fiscal years if they do not already meet the standards. Local educational agencies must create and implement school-level concussion safety and management plans that include training for specified school staff, standardized forms and information for students and parents, designated personnel at school activities, website posting of vetted concussion information, and support for students recovering from concussions, including academic accommodations and evaluation for IDEA/Section 504 when symptoms persist. The law preserves existing civil and criminal liability rules and defines key terms used for pediatric concussion policy.