ENROLLED
2019 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 40
BY REPRESENTATIVE NORTON
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To urge and request public school governing authorities to adopt policies requiring more
extensive testing of the health of student athletes in Louisiana's secondary schools.
WHEREAS, participation in organized athletics is an integral and enriching
experience for students in Louisiana secondary schools; and
WHEREAS, due to the nature of athletic competition, student athletes face inherent
risks to their health and safety when participating in school-organized athletic practices,
events, and games; and
WHEREAS, the leading causes of death among secondary school athletes are sudden
cardiac arrest, traumatic head injuries, exertional heat stroke, and exertional sickling; and
WHEREAS, The Orthopedic Journal of Sports Medicine published a study
conducted by the University of Connecticut that included rankings of states regarding the
implementation of evidence-based best practices for preventing and managing the leading
causes of sudden death in secondary school athletics; the purpose of the study was to provide
a graded assessment of the implementation of health and safety policies pertaining to the
leading causes of sudden death and catastrophic injury in secondary school athletics within
the United States and the District of Columbia; Louisiana ranked 43rd in their 2019
rankings; and
WHEREAS, Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 52 of the 2005 Regular Session
requested the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to study the issue of
improving the health and safety of student athletes in Louisiana's secondary schools; in
response to the resolution, the board submitted findings from preliminary investigations; and
WHEREAS, the board concluded there is a need for further comprehensive study in
the areas of high blood pressure, concussion and mild traumatic brain injury, congenital
Page 1 of 2 HCR NO. 40 ENROLLED
cardiovascular disease, performance-enhancing drugs including steroids, spinal cord injury,
and heat-related illness; and
WHEREAS, the safety of Louisiana's student athletes should be the highest priority,
and it is important to work towards minimizing the inherent risks that all sports entail; and
WHEREAS, through the implementation of required policies and procedures, schools
can be well prepared to preserve and protect the health of students.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
urge and request public school governing authorities to adopt policies requiring more
extensive testing of the health of student athletes in Louisiana's secondary schools.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
executive directors of the Louisiana Association of Principals, the Louisiana Association of
Public Charter Schools, the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents, and the
Louisiana School Boards Association.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
Page 2 of 2