Sponsors (6)
Introduced February 17, 2026 by Mark James Desaulnier · Last progress February 17, 2026
The bill would improve concussion identification, qualified care, and school-based academic supports for students nationwide, but it imposes compliance and training costs on states/districts, risks ESEA funding penalties for noncompliance, and may create access or liability challenges in underserved areas.
Students (K–12) will be more likely to have concussions identified and receive timely, qualified care because schools must use consistent definitions, post CDC-aligned information, and ensure trained, state-recognized health personnel are involved.
Students with concussions (including those with prolonged symptoms) will get coordinated academic supports and pathways to IDEA Part B/Section 504 evaluations so they can stay in school and access accommodations.
Schools and local education agencies gain clearer operational rules (which activities and personnel are covered), making implementation and compliance more straightforward for administrators.
States that miss the statutory deadline risk losing 5–10% of ESEA funding, which could materially reduce school resources and harm programs serving many students.
State and local education agencies will incur new administrative, training, and staffing costs (developing plans, posting materials, assigning recovery overseers) that can strain already-tight school budgets if no dedicated funding is provided.
Districts and states with limited public- or school-health workforce capacity (often rural or underserved areas) may struggle to meet training and multi-disciplinary team expectations, risking uneven implementation and gaps in student care.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Conditions ESEA-funded states to adopt minimum concussion-safety laws/regulations within five years requiring LEAs to create concussion management plans, training, forms, public info, and recovery supports.
Requires states that receive federal K–12 education funds and do not already meet the bill's standards to adopt minimum concussion-safety laws or regulations within five full fiscal years. Those state rules must require each local education agency to create and run a standard concussion safety and management plan that trains school staff (coaches, teachers, athletic trainers, school nurses, and related services personnel), educates students and parents, uses standardized release/reporting/treatment forms and fact sheets, posts CDC-consistent peer-reviewed concussion information on campus and online, and supports academic recovery with accommodations and evaluations for IDEA or Section 504 services when symptoms persist. The bill defines covered terms (including “concussion,” “health care professional,” and “school-sponsored athletic activity”) and preserves existing civil and criminal liability rules. No new federal funding is provided in the text.