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Senate backs requiring concussion training for more coaches

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – All coaches of school sports teams beginning in fifth grade would need to undergo concussion awareness training under a proposal advancing in the Indiana Legislature.

The state Senate voted 45-4 Thursday in favor of the bill, which would require the training for coaches of both interscholastic and intramural sports.

Current state law requires such training for coaches of students in grades 9-12. The additional training requirements would start in July 2016.

Bill sponsor Sen. Tim Lanane (LAN’-in) of Anderson says the extended training requirement is needed because head injuries at young ages can have far-reaching complications.

The bill now goes to the House for consideration.