Stephen Levin to introduce Youth Football Safety Act
Addresses growing problem of concussions and head injuries in youth football
Councilmember Stephen Levin is announcing that he will introduce the Youth Football Safety Act, legislation that would create new safety measures for youth teams who play in New York City. The announcement comes days before football’s biggest game, the Super Bowl, is to be played in the New York City area.
The legislation requires a doctor on premises for every single football game, as well as an athletic trainer or doctor on premises for all full contact practices, and takes the decision of when to administer standardized assessment of concussion testing out of the hands of coaches and into those of medical experts. Additionally, the legislation requires that NYC Parks permit applications only be provided if it is indicated that the necessary medical professional will be in attendance, and requires increased reporting on all injuries and standardized assessment of concussion testing. The legislation would affect all youth teams in New York City including, but not limited to, the Public High School League (PSAL), Catholic High School League, and Pop Warner leagues.