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Read. Follow. Verify.West Virginia Senate Bill 657 Establishes Concussion Protocols and Supplemental Safety Equipment Rules for Student Athletes
Last action · March 5, 2026: To House EducationSponsors: Amy Grady and 6 others
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What This Bill Proposed
West Virginia establishes the Cohen Craddock Student Athlete Safety Act, requiring the State Board of Education to create concussion education and response rules while permitting individual student athletes, schools, and county districts to use supplemental safety devices like soft-shell helmet covers during football practices starting July 1, 2026. The legislation also creates a memorial grant program and fund to help schools procure safety equipment and replace gear whose warranties are voided by supplemental devices.
Schools and county boards gain the authority to mandate supplemental football safety gear while facing requirements to fund any equipment they require, and schools gain access to state grant funds for safety procurement and warranty-replacement costs.
- State Bill 657 is named the Cohen Craddock Student Athlete Safety Act to establish standardized safety protocols and equipment allowances for student football players. context
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Student athletes
Student athletes gain explicit authorization to wear supplemental football safety devices and are subject to new concussion education and safety response plans adopted by their schools.
Schools and county school districts
Schools and districts must adopt concussion education and response plans, are authorized to mandate supplemental equipment if they fund it, and become eligible to apply for safety and warranty-replacement grants.
West Virginia Department of Education
The department is tasked with administering the Cohen Craddock Memorial Grant Program and Fund, including maintaining a minimum fund balance and providing application forms.
West Virginia Board of Education
The state board must promulgate legislative rules governing concussion protocols and training in consultation with the West Virginia Board of Physical Therapy.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my child wear a soft-shell helmet cover during school football practices?
If a school requires football players to wear additional safety gear, who pays for it?
What financial assistance is available for schools purchasing safety equipment?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · passed the Senate · in House committee.
Procedural history
20 actions- Mar 5, 2026HouseCommitteeTo House Education
- Mar 5, 2026HouseCommitteeTo Education then Finance
- Mar 5, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced in House
- Mar 5, 2026HouseHouse received Senate message
- Mar 3, 2026SenateOrdered to House
- Mar 3, 2026SenateEffective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 295)
Show 14 earlier actions
- Mar 3, 2026SenateFloorPassed Senate (Roll No. 294)
- Mar 3, 2026SenateRead 3rd time
- Mar 3, 2026SenateOn 3rd reading
- Mar 2, 2026SenateRead 2nd time
- Mar 2, 2026SenateOn 2nd reading
- Feb 27, 2026SenateRead 1st time
- Feb 27, 2026SenateOn 1st reading
- Feb 26, 2026SenateCom. sub. for com. sub. reported
- Feb 13, 2026SenateCommitteeTo Finance
- Feb 13, 2026SenateCommittee substitute reported, but first to Finance
- Jan 29, 2026SenateCommitteeTo Education
- Jan 29, 2026SenateIntroducedIntroduced in Senate
- Jan 29, 2026SenateCommitteeTo Education then Finance
- Jan 29, 2026SenateIntroducedFiled for introduction
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Mandated Collaboration on Concussion Rules
The legislation bridges educational governance and physical therapy expertise by requiring the State Board of Education to consult directly with the West Virginia Board of Physical Therapy on concussion protocols.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.wvlegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 65)
- Controversy15Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz35Current news / social attention level
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