New Legislation Brings More In-Depth Safety Measures For Student Athletes

Livingston Academy Athletic Director Bruce Lamb says new legislation passed by the Tennessee General Assembly will elevate the safety of student athletes.

The new legislation known as the “Safe Stars Act,” establishes certain health and safety requirements in regards to school youth athletic activities. Lamb said it will ensure coaches and trainers are more prepared when it comes to student safety.

“I think it’s a great thing that any time you can better educate people who are involved with kids, it’s going to trickle down to the kids and keep making everything much improved,” Lamb said.

Some of these requirements include all coaches taking a concussion and head safety education course, a cardiac arrest education course, and having CPR and AED training. Lamb said he plans on making changes to the way his athletics department operates to better meet these requirements, especially when it comes to staying up-to-date on the latest educational information.

He said as a parent himself, it’s important to him parents of his athletes know their kids are being taken care of.

“Just keeping up to date on education where we can keep these kids safer,” Lamb said. “That’s what this is about, is keeping kids safe and keeping their health in general. The number one goal is making someone a lot better person.”

That legislation goes into effect Thursday, July 1st.