On May 1, 2025, a new bill was passed in the state of Texas, which updated and expanded on the state’s existing concussion protocols.
This bill went into effect on Sept. 1, 2025, and it orders that students with concussions should be provided with accommodations in the classroom, athletes should immediately be pulled from activities if a concussion is suspected, and a doctor’s note is now required from athletes to return to any activities. Vincent Cruz, a softball and football coach at LASA, has seen how this protocol has worked at LASA in the past.
“The Concussion Protocol at LASA has always been a strict and thorough protocol,” Cruz said. “If a student is suspected of having a concussion, the rules are very strict and are administered with fidelity to ensure there is no further injury, such as second impact syndrome.”
Even before the change in protocol, LASA has always had an intense concussion procedure, according to Cruz. The LASA staff worked to ensure that students got the best possible care that could be offered to help prevent further injury.
“Coach Ta and Coach Torres were on top of all concussions and made sure that each athlete who was suspected of a concussion was always seen by the trainers, referred to the doctor, and, if needed, placed on a concussion protocol,” Cruz said.
LASA’s athletic trainers have continued to go beyond the law when it comes to treating concussions in school. However, the new protocol will add more involvement from doctors compared to the previous one. One of LASA’s athletic trainers, Calvin Ta, spoke on the new protocol and how it will affect students missing class due to concussions.
“The new form allows the physician to be more specific as to which accommodations an athlete will need based on their initial and current symptoms because most, if not all, accommodations are listed out on the form,” Ta said. “This will allow the athlete to perform in school without needing to miss out on class compared to being out for two weeks in more jaded protocols.”
This increased involvement from physicians is intended to help students be more accommodated in the classroom. Cruz is hopeful this will help these athletes not fall as far behind as they would under older protocols.
“I think the change in protocol will be beneficial to athletes because it prioritizes their long-term health and safety,” Cruz said. “A stricter, more structured process ensures concussions are identified quickly, treated seriously, and managed consistently. This lowers the risk of athletes returning to play too soon and suffering from second-impact syndrome or long-term cognitive issues.”
This new protocol will help athletes in the classroom as well as help them recover by not allowing them to return to athletics until their physician has cleared them to do so. Sophomore and LASA softball team member Zoe Roberts voiced their thoughts about the new protocol.
“I am for this change because I believe that athletes should be accommodated when suffering from a performance-altering injury,” Roberts said.
This new bill updating the existing concussion protocol in Texas went into effect on Sept. 1, 2025, with both athletes and staff alike hopeful for how it will be beneficial to individuals recovering from concussions.
