The proposed bill establishes the Cohen Craddock Student Athlete Safety Act, which aims to enhance safety protocols for student athletes in West Virginia, particularly concerning concussions. It mandates the State Board of Education to create a legislative rule, in consultation with the West Virginia Board of Physical Therapy, that governs concussion protocols, education, and training. Schools are required to adopt a concussion education and response plan, and individual student athletes participating in school-organized football practices are permitted to use supplemental safety enhancing devices. The bill also ensures that no entity can prohibit the use of these devices, while clarifying that the use of certain safety equipment may affect manufacturers' warranties.

Additionally, the bill establishes the Cohen Craddock Memorial Grant Program and Fund, which will provide financial assistance to schools or county boards of education for procuring safety equipment aimed at reducing concussions. The grant program will be administered by the Department of Education, which will set application procedures and grant amounts based on available funds. The fund will consist of various sources of revenue, including legislative appropriations and private donations, and any unspent funds at the end of the fiscal year will remain available for the program's purposes.

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