The proposed bill establishes the Cohen Craddock Student Athlete Safety Act, which aims to enhance the safety of student athletes in West Virginia, particularly in high school and middle school football. 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 protocols, equipment standards, and injury statistics related to interscholastic athletics. The committee will also recommend necessary safety measures to the Governor and the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability. 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 and the Cohen Craddock Memorial Grant Fund to provide financial assistance to schools for procuring safety equipment. The fund will be administered by the West Virginia Department of Education and will consist of various sources of funding, including state appropriations and private donations. The provisions of the act are set to expire on July 1, 2030, unless extended by the Legislature, at which point any remaining funds in the grant program will revert to the General Revenue Fund.

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