Governor Walker Signs Youth Concussion Bill Into Law

Green Bay, Wisconsin - Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker signed the youth concussion bill into law on Monday at Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers.

The law requires that a child who is suspected of suffering a concussion or head injury during an athletic activity be removed from the activity immediately and not return to play until he or she is evaluated by a health care provider. Similar legislation has passed in 31 other states.

"This common-sense bill will help prevent kids from experiencing a second head injury before they've recovered from the first one," said UW Health's Dr. David Bernhardt, who also is a professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Ortho/Rehab at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health.

"When a second injury occurs to a brain that has not yet healed, that child's recovery can be significantly prolonged, negatively affecting not only their academic success but their overall personal well-being. This bill isn't about getting kids back to playing sports, it's about keeping these kids safe so they can reach their full potential."

Teenager Brock Rosenkranz, one of Dr. Bernhardt's patients, attended the signing ceremony along with his parents, Connie and Bob. They also met privately with Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy, former University of Wisconsin and Packers offensive lineman Mark Tauscher and Governor Walker.

Brock is a senior at Richland Center High School who has had to stop playing football and basketball after suffering at least 10 concussions in three years. He and Tauscher also spoke in favor in the bipartisan bill at a news conference at the State Capitol in February.