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EAST RUTHERFORD – A bill sponsored by Senators Richard J. Codey and Joseph F. Vitale which will make New Jersey the state with the most comprehensive concussion prevention and treatment law in the country was signed into law today at a ceremony at the new Meadowlands Stadium.

“No sport is one hundred percent safe, one hundred percent of the time,” said Senator Codey, D-Essex. “The risk of injury is part of athletics, and the best safety precautions and most expensive safety equipment won’t eliminate that risk. However, when it comes to brain injury and head trauma, particularly among our youngest athletes, New Jersey has to get in the game to better protect them from the lifelong medical consequences these injuries can have.”

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Richard J. Codey and Joseph F. Vitale which would implement a comprehensive concussion prevention program for student-athletes in New Jersey was unanimously approved by the Assembly today, receiving final legislative approval.

“Through this legislation, we will hopefully be able to protect our most promising student athletes from a lifetime of consequences as a result of multiple concussions,” said Senator Codey, D-Essex. “With the proper safety precautions in place, interscholastic youth sports can be incredibly rewarding for our kids, teaching them the values of teamwork and discipline and encouraging an active lifestyle. But we have to make sure that, above all else, we put our student-athletes health and well-being first, and take proper precautions at the first sign of a concussion.”

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Richard J. Codey and Joseph F. Vitale which would implement a comprehensive concussion prevention program for student-athletes in New Jersey was unanimously approved by the Senate today.

“We have to proceed with the utmost caution when it comes to the life-long health and safety of our State’s student-athletes,” said Senator Codey, D-Essex. “There’s no question that participation in student athletics is a rewarding experience which teaches the values of teamwork and discipline while encouraging a healthy, active lifestyle among our kids. However, the long-term health effects of continued brain and head trauma can transform a rewarding experience into a debilitating one.”

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Richard J. Codey and Joseph F. Vitale which would implement a comprehensive concussion prevention program for student-athletes in New Jersey was unanimously approved by the Senate Education Committee today.

“When it comes to our State’s younger athletes, we have to do a better job protecting them from the life-long consequences of head trauma and brain injury,” said Senator Codey, D-Essex. “Participating in scholastic or inter-scholastic sports can be an incredibly rewarding experience, and can help teach our kids the value of teamwork and fair play. But at the same time, we have to guarantee proper safeguards and precautions to make sure that our kids’ sports experience is a positive and safe one.”