Sisters woman testifies on concussion law

An Oregon Senate committee heard testimony on Tuesday, April 2, on Senate Bill 721, known as "Jenna's Law," from Sisters resident Jenna Sneva (for whom the bill is named), her mother, Ronda Sneva, and Joey Harrington, former University of Oregon and NFL quarterback.

The bill, which secures protection for youth in sports who have suffered concussions or head injuries, extends protection to youth who play in non-school athletic programs. The bill includes requirements for education and available information for coaches, trainers and parents. It also restricts return to sports activities without a physician's release.

Jenna Sneva gave a moving account of the dramatic changes in her life from athlete to non-participant from a history of concussions resulting in permanent brain injury (see "Living with traumatic brain injury," The Nugget, March 20).

The committee later said that it was the young woman's testimony that affected them most deeply.

Harrington spoke of changes in attitude in the NFL, where "getting your bell rung" used to be a badge of honor. Following his first NFL concussion, he returned to play. (Harrington also recently suffered a concussion from a bicycle accident.)

Harrington also addressed the attitude of "ultra-competitive parents" who need to learn to "stand down" when their children suffer injuries. He explained that it is hard to have a child miss the big play, "but having them live a healthy life will do a lot more."

Sneva's mother spoke to the committee about the lack of knowledge in the past, which caused children and teenagers to be put back in sports play without assurance that there was no brain trauma. She and Jenna both said that there is no excuse anymore. With tears, she described her once Olympic-bound daughter now having the brain of a recovering stroke victim.

The committee of 12 senators and seven representatives uncharacteristically voted immediately after the hearing to send the measure to the Senate floor for approval.

With some alterations, the full Senate passed SB 721 on Monday, April 8. Sneva was an invited guest of the Senate that morning.