HLS 19RS-575 ENGROSSED
2019 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 40
BY REPRESENTATIVE NORTON
SCHOOLS/HIGH SCHOOL: Requests public school governing authorities adopt policies
requiring more extensive testing of the health of student athletes in secondary
schools.
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To urge and request public school governing authorities to adopt policies requiring more
3 extensive testing of the health of student athletes in Louisiana's secondary schools.
4 WHEREAS, participation in organized athletics is an integral and enriching
5experience for students in Louisiana secondary schools; and
6 WHEREAS, due to the nature of athletic competition, student athletes face inherent
7risks to their health and safety when participating in school-organized athletic practices,
8events, and games; and
9 WHEREAS, the leading causes of death among secondary school athletes are sudden
10cardiac arrest, traumatic head injuries, exertional heat stroke, and exertional sickling; and
11 WHEREAS, The Orthopedic Journal of Sports Medicine published a study
12conducted by the University of Connecticut that included rankings of states regarding the
13implementation of evidence-based best practices for preventing and managing the leading
14causes of sudden death in secondary school athletics; the purpose of the study was to provide
15a graded assessment of the implementation of health and safety policies pertaining to the
16leading causes of sudden death and catastrophic injury in secondary school athletics within
17the United States and the District of Columbia; Louisiana ranked 43rd in their 2019
18rankings; and
19 WHEREAS, Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 52 of the 2005 Regular Session
20requested the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to study the issue of
Page 1 of 2 HLS 19RS-575 ENGROSSED
HCR NO. 40
1improving the health and safety of student athletes in Louisiana's secondary schools; in
2response to the resolution, the board submitted findings from preliminary investigations; and
3 WHEREAS, the board concluded there is a need for further comprehensive study in
4the areas of high blood pressure, concussion and mild traumatic brain injury, congenital
5cardiovascular disease, performance-enhancing drugs including steroids, spinal cord injury,
6and heat-related illness; and
7 WHEREAS, the safety of Louisiana's student-athletes should be the highest priority,
8and it is important to work towards minimizing the inherent risks that all sports entail; and
9 WHEREAS, through the implementation of required policies and procedures, schools
10can be well prepared to preserve and protect the health of students.
11 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
12urge and request public school governing authorities to adopt policies requiring more
13extensive testing of the health of student athletes in Louisiana's secondary schools.
14 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
15executive directors of the Louisiana Association of Principals, the Louisiana Association of
16Public Charter Schools, the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents, and the
17Louisiana School Boards Association.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HCR 40 Engrossed 2019 Regular Session Norton
Requests that public school governing authorities adopt policies requiring more extensive
testing of the health of student athletes in secondary schools.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Education to the
original resolution:
1. Change addressee of the request from the State Bd. of Elementary and Secondary
Education to public school governing authorities.
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