The Texas House has approved a public school pilot program allowing parents to purchase supplemental concussion insurance for boys who play football and girls who play soccer.
Students participating in sports already have insurance through their school districts. But the proposal by Brownsville Democratic Rep. Eddie Lucio III gives parents the option of buying extra insurance for "around $5."
Lucio said concussion-related symptoms sometimes don't appear until after students graduate and lose their district insurance.
The bill passed Tuesday must clear a final, procedural hurdle before heading to the Senate.
Private companies would underwrite the policies administered by the University Interscholastic League and the Texas Education Agency.
Both entities would decide which districts participate in the pilot program. But Lucio said he hopes it's a cross-section from around the state.
