Connecticut Athletic Trainers' Association

Harris & Ritter Receive CATA Legislator Appreciation Awards at Hit the Hill Day

The CATA honored Senator Jonathan Harris (left) and representative Betsy Ritter (right), Co-Chairs of the Public Health Committee with Legislator Appreciation Awards at CATA Hit the Hill Day. Harris and Ritter were recognized for their strong support and leadership in helping to pass a bill requiring AEDs in schools in Connecticut (Public Act 09-94) during the 2009 General Assembly session. After thanking the CATA for the association's advocacy efforts related to the AED bill last year, Ritter and Harris both spoke in support of SB 456 "An Act Concerning Student Athletes and Concussions."  That bill has been introduced by the Education Committee and had a public hearing later the same day. It would require coaches in public schools to be regularly trained in the recognition of signs and symptoms of concussion, to remove any athlete who exhibits signs or symptoms of concussion, and to not allow the athlete to return to play prior to the athlete being evaluated and receiving written clearance from a qualified health care professional. The CATA provided testimony in support if SB 456 at the public hearing, and over 60 CATA members were in attendance at Hit the Hill Day to lobby legislators to support the bill. As of March 31, the bill has moved out of the Education Committee, and is currently in the Legislative Commissioners Office (LCO), awaiting further action. You will receive regular updates on the status of SB 456 through the CATA's legislative alert system.