HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	645
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

Relating to Brain trauma.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that traumatic brain injury is a concern for football players.  Repeated head trauma is associated with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which is a neurodegenerative disease that can lead to dementia, memory loss, and depression.  Although long known to occur in boxers, chronic traumatic encephalopathy was not discovered in football players until 2005.  Researchers at Boston University recently confirmed fifty cases of chronic traumatic encephalopathy in former football players, including thirty-three who played in the National Football League.

     The purpose of this Act is to create the football traumatic brain injury task force within the University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine, to review the issue of traumatic brain injury in the National Football League and propose possible solutions to reduce traumatic brain injury and methods to support former players who suffer from chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  There shall be established within the University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine, for administrative purposes only, the football traumatic brain injury task force to:

     (1)  Review the issue of traumatic brain injury in the National Football League;

     (2)  Propose possible solutions to reduce traumatic brain injury in the National Football League; and

     (3)  Propose possible methods to support former National Football League players who suffer from chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

     (b)  The football traumatic brain injury task force shall meet a minimum of three times at a place and time to be determined by the chair of the task force.  Meeting notices shall be posted by the task force as required under chapter 92, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and public testimony at meetings shall be accepted by the task force.  The task force shall be dissolved on December 1, 2013.

     (c)  The University of Hawaii shall provide administrative support, including the recording of minutes, to the football traumatic brain injury task force.

     (d)  The task force shall include the following members:

     (1)  One physician specializing in neurology from the University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine, who shall serve as chair of the task force;

     (2)  One former member of the National Football League, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and

     (3)  One former member of the National Football League, appointed by the president of the senate.

     The members of the task force shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for expenses necessary in the performance of their duties.  No member shall be made subject to chapter 84, Hawaii Revised Statutes, solely because of that member's participation as a member of the task force.

     (e)  The task force shall submit a written report of findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2014.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2013.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Football Traumatic Brain Injury Task Force

 

Description:

Establishes a temporary football traumatic brain injury task force to review the issues associated with traumatic brain injury in the National Football League and propose possible solutions and support for former National Football League players who suffer from the effects of football related brain injury.  Effective July 1, 2013.

 

 

 

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