FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI) — Younger football players may have to wait until they’re older to learn how to tackle if a proposed bill passes in Massachusetts.
Rep. Paul A. Schmid III – whose district includes portions of Fall River, Freetown, New Bedford and Westport – and colleague Middlesex County Rep. Bradley H. Jones, Jr., have proposed a bill that would ban children seventh grade and younger from participating in organized tackle football.
Bill HD 2501 now being considered would allow football that does not involve tackling (such as “flag football”). Fines would be levied for schools or leagues that didn’t follow the rules, starting at $2,000 and increasing from there for subsequent violations.
Massachusetts already has a law on the books concerning concussions and head injuries.
Right now, the law says a student who becomes unconscious or receives a concussion during an extracurricular athletic activity cannot return to the activity without written authorization from a doctor or certified athletic trainer. However, there are no age-specific rules concerning head contact.