Speaker Batchelder Announces Passage of Legislation Regarding Youth Head Injuries

Today the Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, William G. Batchelder (R-Medina), applauded the passage of Senate Bill 26 through the House. The bill is a companion bill to H.B. 16, which was passed in March. The legislation prevents referees, coaches and other volunteers from being criminally prosecuted for not following guidelines in the event of a head injury during youth athletic events, making a technical change to a bill passed in the 129th General Assembly.

Speaker Batchelder provided a statement in response to the passage of Senate Bill 26:

“The passage of Senate Bill 26 through the Ohio House, as a companion bill to House Bill 16, is an important piece of legislation for the safety and health of our student athletes. It protects our volunteers, coaches and referees who are working hard to provide Ohio’s young competitors with a nurturing and fun athletic environment. The intention with this bill is to protect those who give their time and energy to young athletes and to provide awareness and medical information about head injuries to these individuals so that they can help keep our athletes out of harm’s way.”

 The bill will now move back to the Senate for concurrence.