SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 51

(By Senators Mann, Karnes, Hall, Maynard, Rucker, Swope, Trump, Beach, Plymale, Romano, Stollings and Unger)

[Originating in the Committee on Education; Reported on March 31, 2017]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study all aspects of implementing Return-to-Learn protocols for elementary and secondary education students and higher education students who have suffered a concussion.

Whereas, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines concussion as a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth; and

Whereas, Students who experience a concussion are more successful when provided adaptive academic accommodations within the first 28 days after an injury; and

Whereas, The West Virginia University Center for Excellence in Disabilities has developed Return-to-Learn recommendations for education institutions to increase the awareness of concussion as a brain injury that requires coordinated management for the best possible student outcomes; and

Whereas, Some of these recommendations require the creation of a concussion management team any time a student suffers a concussion; requires the concussion management team to meet weekly; prohibits return to participation in regular classroom activities without adaptive academic accommodations until authorized by the licensed health care professional and the concussion management team; and requires annual concussion management team training; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study all aspects of implementing Return-to-Learn protocols for elementary and secondary education students and higher education students who have suffered a concussion; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the study include the benefits of implementing those protocols; overcoming limits on time in implementing the protocols; coordinating the protocols with any Section 504 plan requirements; determining whether there would be any cost associated with the training requirements or employee time if additional duties must be performed outside of the regular workday; and determining whether the protocols should apply to both public and private schools; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2018, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its 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.