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HB 5490

AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- SCHOOL AND YOUTH PROGRAMS CONCUSSION ACT

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jackie Baginski and 1 co-sponsor

Requires each Rhode Island high school to designate a licensed athletic trainer or similarly trained person, with mandatory concussion training and strict return-to-play rules.

03/11/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 5490

Summary — HB 5490: School and Youth Programs Concussion Act (2025)

Bill: HB 5490
Title: An Act Relating to Education — School and Youth Programs Concussion Act
Sponsors: Reps. Baginski and Fellela
Introduced: Feb 13, 2025 (filed Mar 14, 2025)
Status (most recent): 03/11/2025 — Committee recommended measure be held for further study. Read first time and later referred to Pensions, Investments & Financial Services (04/07/2025).
Effective date: Upon passage

Purpose

To strengthen concussion safety protocols in Rhode Island schools by updating statutory training, removal/return-to-play procedures, and requiring that each high school have a designated certified athletic trainer (or similarly trained person).

Key provisions

  • Agencies & materials

    • The Department of Education and Department of Health shall work with the Rhode Island Interscholastic League to develop/promulgate concussion guidance.
    • School districts must use the U.S. CDC’s “Heads Up: Concussion in High School Sports/Concussion in Youth Sports” training materials (or substantially similar materials). The Department of Education shall post these materials and the Interscholastic League resources on its website.

  • Training requirements

    • All coaches and volunteers for covered youth sports must complete an initial concussion training course and an annual refresher.
    • All school nurses must complete the training course and an annual refresher.
    • Teachers and teacher’s aides are strongly encouraged (but not required) to complete the training.
    • Training formats may include videos, classes, or other commonly accepted formats.

  • Athlete removal and return-to-play

    • Any youth athlete suspected of sustaining a concussion during practice or a game must be removed from play immediately.
    • An athlete removed for suspected concussion may not return until evaluated by a licensed physician (who may consult an athletic trainer) trained in concussion evaluation/management and who provides written medical clearance.

  • Athletic trainer requirement

    • All school districts are required to designate a licensed athletic trainer (licensed under chapter 60 of title 5) or a similarly trained person for each high school in the district at recreational and athletic events covered by the statute.

  • Other provisions

    • Districts are encouraged (but not required) to provide baseline neuropsychological testing to student athletes.
    • Parents/guardians must be provided concussion-risk information before each sport season and sign an acknowledgment; athletes and parents must sign an information sheet prior to return to practice/competition.

Who is affected

  • Public school districts and high schools (staffing and compliance)
  • Coaches, volunteers, school nurses, teachers, and aides
  • Student-athletes and their parents/guardians
  • Licensed physicians and athletic trainers
  • Department of Education, Department of Health, and Rhode Island Interscholastic League

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Fiscal/staffing: districts will need to hire or contract certified athletic trainers or identify similarly trained personnel for each high school, potentially increasing personnel costs or requiring reallocation of resources.
  • Administrative: districts must implement annual training, maintain records of physician clearances, and distribute parent/athlete acknowledgments.
  • Health/safety: strengthens concussion recognition and return-to-play safeguards; may increase medical evaluations before return to play.
  • Legal/operational: “similarly trained person” language provides some flexibility but may prompt local policy definitions and oversight.

Legislative timeline / actions (selected)

  • 02/13/2025: Introduced, referred to House Education
  • 03/07/2025: Hearing scheduled (03/11/2025)
  • 03/11/2025: Committee recommended measure be held for further study
  • 04/07/2025: Read first time; referred to Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

This summary focuses on substantive changes to R.I. Gen. Laws §16‑91‑3 made by HB 5490, most notably the mandatory designation of a certified athletic trainer at each high school and the reinforcement of training and return‑to‑play rules.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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