The proposed bill, known as the Cohen Craddock Student Athlete Safety Act, aims to enhance the safety of student athletes in West Virginia by establishing a framework for safety protocols and equipment standards. It creates a new article in the West Virginia Code that includes the formation of the Student Athlete Safety Advisory Committee, which will evaluate safety rules, protocols, and equipment for interscholastic athletics. The committee will consist of nine members, including representatives from the Department of Education and health experts, and will be responsible for making recommendations to improve athlete safety. Additionally, the bill mandates the use of impact-reducing soft-shell helmet covers during football practices starting July 1, 2026, and outlines warranty protections for helmets used with these covers.

Furthermore, the bill establishes the Cohen Craddock Memorial Grant Program to provide funding for schools to acquire necessary safety equipment. The program will be administered by the Department of Education, which will set grant amounts based on available funds and distribute them on a first-come, first-serve basis. A special revenue fund, the Cohen Craddock Memorial Grant Fund, will be created to support this initiative, with provisions for fundraising and investment of the fund's assets. The act includes a sunset provision, stating that it will terminate on July 1, 2030, unless extended by the Legislature, and any remaining funds in the grant program will revert to the General Revenue Fund at that time.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-36-1, 18-36-2, 18-36-3, 18-36-4, 18-36-5, 18-36-6
Committee Substitute: 18-36-1, 18-36-2, 18-36-3, 18-36-4, 18-36-5, 18-36-6
Committee Substitute for the Committee Substitute: 18-36-1, 18-36-2, 18-36-3, 18-36-4, 18-36-5, 18-36-6, 18-36-7