Bill Overview
Title: Supporting Athletes, Families and Educators to Protect the Lives of Athletic Youth Act
Description: This bill directs several agencies to undertake specified activities and expand surveillance related to cardiac conditions, concussions, and heat-related illnesses among young athletes. The bill also establishes requirements for schools with respect to concussions and excessive heat. Specifically, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) must (1) develop information for schools, childcare centers, and others on high-risk cardiac conditions in children, adolescents, and young adults; and (2) incorporate questions about cardiac conditions in an existing school-based health survey. In addition, the CDC must develop guidelines for emergency action plans for youth athletics programs, and the Food and Drug Administration may issue guidelines related to youth consumption of energy drinks. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must award matching grants to local educational agencies for automated external defibrillator and cardiopulmonary resuscitation trainings. The Department of Education, in consultation with HHS and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, must develop public education materials focused on the health risks of exposure to extreme heat and humidity, and public schools must develop action plans for athletic activities during periods of excessive heat or humidity. The bill establishes minimum requirements for elementary and secondary schools related to concussions, including but not limited to (1) implementing a standard plan for concussion safety and management, and (2) ensuring students returning to academics after a concussion receive certain services and supports.
Sponsors: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Target Audience
Population: Young athletes, their families, and school staff
Estimated Size: 45000000
- The bill targets young athletes specifically regarding health risks like cardiac conditions, concussions, and heat-related illnesses.
- Schools, including elementary and secondary schools, are involved, impacting students, teachers, and potentially parents.
- The bill directs interventions for child care centers, hence including pre-school children and educators.
- By involving local educational agencies and requiring public schools to act, the bill impacts these institutions at a broad level.
Reasoning
- The SAFE PLAY Act primarily targets young athletes, their families, and educational institutions, which plays a significant role in shaping outcomes for both students and staff.
- With the focus on athletic health and safety, including cardiac conditions, concussions, and heat illnesses, the bill affects students participating in sports, their safety, and family peace of mind.
- Issues concerning the practical implementation of such health initiatives in diverse school environments, allocation of 40 million USD for the first year, and overall budget constraints will determine the policy's reach.
- Considering the 57 million school-aged children in the U.S. and approximately 36 million involved in sports, while estimating 45 million encompassing direct and indirect stakeholders (athletes, parents, educators).
Simulated Interviews
High school student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 16 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm excited about more awareness and safety measures, as concussions are common in soccer.
- The emergency action plans for different illnesses give me more confidence during matches.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Middle school principal (Chicago, IL)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy adds significant responsibilities to our school staff.
- Funding for training and resources is critical to implementation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
High school coach (New York, NY)
Age: 46 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having formal guidelines for concussions and heat-related illnesses is long overdue.
- I hope for more clarity on the implementation costs and responsibilities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
High school student (Houston, TX)
Age: 14 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Knowing the risks are being addressed makes my parents and me feel safer.
- I hope this means we'll have better equipment and more first aid.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Athletic trainer (Miami, FL)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Formalized guidelines are crucial as different schools handle risks differently.
- The cost of implementing such measures may limit their effectiveness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Parent (Boston, MA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I feel more at ease knowing these measures are in place for my child's protection.
- Communication about these changes will be key for parents.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Teacher (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 61 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The training required for students and faculty will be extensive, but necessary.
- I worry about how smoothly this transition will be for everyone involved.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Small school district superintendent (Rural Kansas)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Rural schools may struggle with the budget needed to implement these changes effectively.
- I appreciate the policy's focus on youth safety, though.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cardiologist (Denver, CO)
Age: 43 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's reassuring that the government is taking steps to prevent tragic outcomes related to heart conditions.
- Schools need to ensure proper training is implemented.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
College freshman (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 18 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope future youth sports are safer and more monitoring prevents incidents like excessive heat injuries.
- My high school was inconsistent about addressing these risks.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $40000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $50000000)
Year 2: $42000000 (Low: $32000000, High: $52000000)
Year 3: $43250000 (Low: $33000000, High: $53000000)
Year 5: $45000000 (Low: $34000000, High: $54000000)
Year 10: $48000000 (Low: $35000000, High: $56000000)
Year 100: $60000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $72000000)
Key Considerations
- Coordination among various federal and state agencies will be crucial for successful implementation.
- There must be a clear communication strategy to effectively disseminate the new guidelines and requirements to schools and other stakeholders.
- The funding mechanisms, particularly for grants requiring matching funds, could be influenced by the economic conditions affecting local educational agencies.
- Monitoring and evaluating the impact of these interventions will be necessary to make any future adjustments and ensure effectiveness.