Georgia Senators approved legislation Friday designed to decrease injuries among youth athletes by recommending the use of stronger football helmets.
Senate Bill 176, known as the "Deantre Gregory Turman Act," is named for a Creekside High School football player who died after suffering a broken neck during a preseason scrimmage in August 2013.
The bill strongly encourages schools and recreation facilities to use football helmets that have at least a four-star rating on a safety scale devised by Virginia Tech. The bill does not apply to non-contact versions of the sport, like flag football.
Democratic Sen. Donzella James of Atlanta, said she was approached toward the end of last year's legislative session by a group of constituents who had gathered about 5,000 signatures of supporters urging state lawmakers to consider this type of legislation.
The bill, which was approved in the Senate with a 41-1 vote, moves to the House for consideration.
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