Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB346

Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/30/23
• Refer: 6/30/23
• Failed: 4/15/24

Caption

Requiring a cold water immersion tub at a youth athletic activity hosted by a public or private school, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. (FE)

Impact

This bill amends the statutes to require the Department of Health Services (DHS) to establish standards and protocols for the proper use and maintenance of these cold water immersion tubs. Schools will be required to follow these guidelines to ensure the safety and efficacy of the cooling measures available to young athletes. By stipulating specific regulations around such equipment, AB346 signals a legislative shift towards prioritizing health measures in youth sports settings, particularly under warming climate conditions that can introduce new risks for young athletes.

Summary

Assembly Bill 346 introduces new requirements for youth athletic activities hosted by public or private schools in relation to health standards. The bill mandates that starting from the 2023-2024 school year, any school board or charter school that conducts youth athletic activities during the summer months must provide access to a cold water immersion tub. This initiative aims to enhance the safety and health of young athletes, particularly in response to potential heat-related illnesses during practice and competition times when temperatures can be high.

Contention

While the bill aims to improve safety, it has stirred some debate regarding the implementation and costs involved. Critics may express concerns over the financial burden on schools, particularly smaller institutions that may struggle to meet the new requirements. Additionally, discussions around how effectively these immersion tubs will be integrated into existing health education and training for coaches and athletic staff are likely to be focal points. Issues surrounding the potential need for exemptions and how the DHS will offer rule-making authority without burdensome regulatory processes might also arise.

Notable_points

A significant element of AB346 is its provision to allow DHS to establish emergency rules without extensive prerequisite evidence of necessity, thus streamlining the process of implementing these health measures. This aspect may raise questions about oversight and the balance between quick implementation and maintaining comprehensive regulatory standards in public health.