Legislation designed to protect student-athletes in secondary and high schools, in New Jersey and across the nation, has been formally introduced in Washington, D.C.

Children playing soccer in park
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U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) are teaming up to sponsor the SAFE PLAY Act, or Supporting Athletes, Families and Educators to Protect the Lives of Athletic Youth.

The legislation calls for educational resources to increase awareness of high-risk cardiac conditions, provides additional grant money for cardiac training and equipment in public schools, sets tougher requirements for preventing and treating concussions, offers guidelines on practicing and playing in very hot weather, provides guidelines for the consumption of high-caffeine energy drinks and calls for more comprehensive emergency action plans for all school athletic events.

"Sudden cardiac arrest, which basically means a heart attack, is the leading cause of death for students participating in sports," said Menendez during a press conference Monday at Dwight Morrow High School in Englewood, "and eight in 10 victims suffered a heart condition previously."

Menendez also said that nationally, more than 1.3 million young athletes are treated in emergency rooms for injuries sustained while playing sports.

"Every three minutes, a young athlete is treated for a sports-related concussion, and there have been increases in the number of kids suffering from heat-related illnesses on the field," he said. "It's very important to have properly trained and equipped personnel ready to respond during an emergency."

The senator said the SAFE PLAY Act is designed "to provide coaches and parents and teachers, and of course student-athletes, with the tools to stay healthy on and off the field. This is the most comprehensive legislation addressing the health and safety needs of student-athletes, not only when they're playing, but when they're off the field and in the classroom."

Menendez said we may think of these injuries happening only during a game or practice, but they can happen anywhere and at any time.

"As a parent, a teacher or a player," he said, "it's always important to know the best ways to stay safe and healthy, to keep playing, keep learning and keep having fun."

Pascrell also spoke about the issue on Monday.

"Every concussion is a brain injury, and we can prevent them from happening, and we must take care when they do happen," he said.

Pascrell continued by saying the legislation is important because "more than three-and-a-half million students and young people under the age of 14 receive medical treatment for sports injuries each year, and 21 percent of all traumatic brain injuries among U.S. children are associated with sports participation."

Pascrell and Menendez both said they expect to have bipartisan support for the SAFE PLAY Act.

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