HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 96

(By Delegates Perry, Lynch, Wells, Poore, R. Smith, Cooper, Border, Diserio, Jones, Guthrie, Ambler, Anderson, Andes, Ashley, Barrett, Butler, Campbell, Canterbury, Caputo, Cowles, Eldridge, Ellem, Ellington, Espinosa, Faircloth, Ferro, Fragale, Gearheart, Hamrick, Hartman, Iaquinta, Lane, Lawrence, Longstreth, Manchin, Manypenny, Marcum, Marshall, Moore, Morgan, Moye, Pasdon, Pethtel, L. Phillips, R. Phillips, Pino, D. Poling, M. Poling, Skaff, Skinner, Sponaugle, Staggers, Stephens, Sumner, Swartzmiller, Tomblin, Walker, Westfall, White, Williams and Young)

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study policies ensuring that licensed athletic trainers are available during practices and games to all interscholastic student athletes in West Virginia.

    Whereas, Sports-related injuries among interscholastic athletes are a public health issue; and

    Whereas, Students are more likely to face unnecessary injuries and tragic deaths when appropriate allied health care professionals, such as licensed athletic trainers, are not present; and

    Whereas, There are many benefits to participating in interscholastic sports including enhanced awareness of healthy lifestyles, weight management, increased self-esteem and enhance learning capacity; and

    Whereas, Licensed athletic trainers receive formal education and training in injury prevention, first aid/emergency care, and rehabilitation of injuries and can assist in reducing sports-related injuries and deaths in practices and competitions; and

    Whereas, Several institutions of higher education located in West Virginia offer degrees in athletic training; and

    Whereas, Athletic training is one of the fastest growing health care professions; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Legislature hereby requests the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study policies ensuring that certified athletic trainers are available during practices and games to all interscholastic student athletes in West Virginia; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2015, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate any recommendations; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.