Daily Herald editorial

Putting the responsibility for children in the hands of everyone but their parents has become a habit for Minnesota, a habit that state lawmakers and Gov. Dayton have indulged again by creating a law that requires youth sports coaches to get training on identifying concussions.

The law, which the governor signed this week, might seem like a good idea. After all, anything that combines safety and children is great, right? Not always. By requiring coaches — the vast majority of whom are volunteers just trying to help out — to effectively spot concussions and then monitor whether it’s safe for a young athlete to resume play, the state is once again delivering the message that parents need not worry because someone else is minding the store. In our view, parents have absolute responsibility for their children’s health. And while some might argue that coaches provide another layer of protection for the children, the reality is that parents are being taught — a little more each generation — that the school, the club, the coach will be responsible for everything from sex education to monitoring concussions. The result, inevitably, is another chance for parents to rely on, and blame, someone else when things go badly for their children. It’s an intensifying spiral with no end in sight.

Another side-effect of slapping volunteer coaches with such requirements is that even fewer will be willing to volunteer. Although the bill supposedly does not saddle coaches and clubs with any additional liability, how long will it be before some poor volunteer gets sued for not diagnosing a concussion, or for failing to keep track of when a kid can be allowed to play again? Not long, we guess. That can not be good for children in the long run.

It is becoming clearer and clearer that undiagnosed and mis-treated head injuries can have dangerous, long-lasting effects. Children ought, indeed, to be protected from those dangers. And their parents should absolutely be aware or those dangers, be involved in their children’s health, and hold them out from sports when necessary. But leave that responsibility where it belongs — with the parents.