Boston becomes 1st city with safety laws for college athletes

The Boston City Council on Wednesday approved health and safety measures for NCAA athletes who play in Boston, including requiring a neurotrauma consultant at every Division I football, ice hockey and men’s lacrosse events to monitor head, neck and spine injuries.

Boston is believed to be the first U.S. city to pass laws on behalf of NCAA athletes. In addition to the College Athlete Head Injury Gameday Safety Protocol, Boston continues to try to pass other local laws related to educational rights and health care for college athletes.

Most of Boston’s concussion laws will impact any NCAA-sanctioned event in the city. In Division I, that covers Boston College, Boston University, Northeastern University and Harvard, plus their opponents. The ordinance requires local colleges to have an emergency medical action plan for all host venues. It also bans a player from reentering competition when he or she suffers a concussion or is suspected to have one. Read More