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On Thursday, the Kentucky House passed a bill that would require all middle school and high school coaches to complete training relating to recognizing and treating concussions and head injuries.

HB 281 passed unanimously by a vote of 99-0. It will now move on for consideration in the Senate.

If the Senate passes the bill and the governor signs it, beginning next year, "the state board or its agency shall require each interscholastic coach to complete training on how to recognize the symptoms of a concussion and how to seek proper medical treatment for a person suspected of having a concussion. The training shall be approved by the state board or its agency and may be included in the sports safety course required under subsection (1)(a) of this section."

The law would also set up guidelines for coaches to follow when a student-athlete suffers a head injury.

"A student athlete suspected by an interscholastic coach, school representative, or contest official of sustaining a concussion during an athletic practice or competition shall be removed from play at that time and shall not return to play prior to the ending of the practice or competition until the athlete is evaluated to determine if a concussion has occurred. The evaluation shall be completed by a physician, advance practice registered nurse, physician's assistant, or certified athletic trainer. A student athlete shall not return to play on the date of a suspected concussion absent the required evaluation."

If an athlete did suffer a concussion, she or he would have to be cleared by a physician before returning to competition.

Rep. Joni L. Jenkins (D-Shivley) sponsored the bill in the House.