Proposed House bill aims to protect police officers from concussions
State Rep. Dan Miller is working on legislation aimed at protecting law enforcement by establishing a concussion protocol.
House Bill 1176 would require the state police, along with several other law enforcement organizations and state agencies related to traumatic brain injuries, to form a concussion protocol for police in the state.
Due to the nature of concussions, and what happens if they go untreated, Miller believes the bill will save money in the long term by identifying traumatic brain injuries early.
“Treatment for most concussions is not an overly extensive or timely process,” Miller said at a May 18 news conference to discuss the bill. “It’s what happens if you don’t diagnose or don’t treat them, that can be costly and massively impactful on someone’s life.”
The bill began when Trooper William J. “Bill” Feineigle Jr., who lives in the 42nd district, called Miller several months ago. Feineigle, who joined Miller at the news conference, currently works at the Washington barracks on limited-duty status in the Firearm and Tracking Unit.
After receiving a head injury in 2002, which went undiagnosed, Feineigle received another head injury a year later, Miller recalled at the news conference.
Miller said Feineigle was then put on light duty, spent two years in neurological rehab, fought to get his job back and had to be transferred to a closer station due to his health.
“The story of the man we call ‘Trooper Bill’ offers a compelling reason why this bill should become law,” Miller said.
Following the phone conversation with Feineigle, Miller started looking into the issue.
“We did our research, and we went through some versions of drafts,” Miller said. “We reached out to the [Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police] . We wanted to make sure that we were doing something that the guys that were walking the beat supported, understood why and the need for it. Getting the FOP’s endorsement was a key first step.”
Miller then contacted state Rep. Dom Costa, D-Allegheny, and Rep. Barry Jozwiak, R-Berks, for support.
“These are two people, who beside from being bipartisan, they have made a career in law enforcement,” Miller said. “They served for decades. So, I knew that if I was going to do a bill, that was in essence a police bill, that I needed to go to the leading voices for law enforcement issues in the House.”
As a former Pittsburgh police chief, Costa also spoke at the news conference, praising Miller for the bill.
“With these types of injuries, knowing anything sooner is better, so you can limit the negative effects of it and help prevent further injury,” Costa said. “So this was a great, great thought on Representative Miller’s part. And the police I’ve talked to are well on board with this idea.”
Approved unanimously by the House Health Committee on May 9, the bill was set to be up on second consideration on floor of the House on May 23.
“I’m very optimistic about it,” Miller said. “We have a bipartisan bill. Democrats and Republicans have signed on to this bill and now have voted for this bill, so I am optimistic. But, of course, I never take it for granted until it’s done.”