Head injury, concussion legislation championed by Carson High School senior
Youth Legislator Stella Thornton, a Senior at Carson High School in Carson City will present Senate Bill 80 on behalf of the Nevada Youth Legislature on Wednesday, March 15, at 2 p.m.
Senate Bill 80 (SB80) will provide clear guidelines and procedures for managing a student's traumatic brain injury (TBI) or concussion. In adopting Return to Learn and amending existing Return to Play policies, SB80 will provide a framework for students who have suffered head injuries to receive the care and support they need to return to school and other activities.
Unfortunately, in her junior year of high school, Stella suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury during an equestrian accident. In addition, Stella suffered a second concussion four weeks later in an accident at home. Stella’s return to school was quite challenging, as the variety of accommodations a student with a concussion or brain injury needs to return to class were not as standard as they will be with the adoption of SB80.
Ms. Thornton has become a strong advocate for students suffering from head injuries or concussions. Concussions and other head injuries often affect a student's cognitive, physical, and emotional well-being. Stella worked through months of vestibular therapy and many visits to the Neuromechanics Laboratory at the University of Nevada, Reno. She also pushed hard to obtain the accommodations necessary to attend school while dealing with her ongoing symptoms.
SB 80’s passage will prioritize Nevada’s students’ health and well-being and help ensure students have a smoother transition back into school. Nevada’s Return to Play policies were first enacted with the passage of AB 455 in 2011.
Return to Play policies ensure that student-athletes who have suffered a concussion or a head injury can safely return to sports activities. Return to Learn policies focus on providing students who have suffered a concussion or other head injury the pathway to return to academic activities such as attending classes, completing coursework, and taking tests.
Youth Legislator Thornton is grateful for the many people involved in her care and recovery and for the many people involved with writing and supporting SB80, including the other members of the Nevada Youth Legislature.
Ms. Thornton serves as Vice President of the National Honor Society chapter at Carson High School. She continues to ride and work with horses and will attend the University of Nevada, Reno this fall.