NY lawmakers push new student concussion rules

Sen. Kemp Hannon, a Long Island Republican who chairs the Senate Health Committee, said the number of children hurt annually is alarming, though statistics are not now available.

"It happens far too much, but it's not just the rate that counts. It's our current awareness that this is a real injury, that a blow to the head is as bad as a broken arm, and needs time to recover, and you have varying times to recover for various people," Hannon said.

The Assembly Education Committee unanimously approved a bill Tuesday that includes the new protections and also would direct the state Education Department, in consultation with the Health Department, to adopt the rules. It calls for each school district to establish a group responsible for staff training and student and parent education.

Both chambers are expected to act before the legislative session ends next week.