A new bill filed by State Rep. Cairns seeks to update concussion evaluation procedures for student athletes in the North Carolina House, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 928 on April 10 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Allow PTs in School Concussion Protocol.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill amends North Carolina’s concussion protocol for student athletes by allowing physical therapists, licensed under Article 18E of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes, to evaluate and provide written clearance for athletes exhibiting concussion symptoms during interscholastic sports activities. Previously, only certain medical professionals were authorized to clear students for return to play. The bill specifies that if a student shows signs of a concussion, they must be removed from the activity immediately and cannot return until evaluated and cleared by an authorized professional. This act takes effect upon becoming law.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Allen Chesser proposed the most bills (49) during the 2025 regular session.
Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
Cairns graduated from the University of Georgia with a BBA.
Cairns, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 13th House district, replacing previous state representative Patricia McElraft.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celeste C. Cairns, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Allen Chesser, and Carla D. Cunningham | HB 928 | 04/10/2025 | Allow PTs in School Concussion Protocol. |
| Celeste C. Cairns, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., and Ray Pickett | HB 921 | 04/10/2025 | ABC & Gaming Omnibus Bill. |
| Celeste C. Cairns, Matthew Winslow, Stephen M. Ross, and Steve Tyson | HB 992 | 04/10/2025 | Timeshare Foreclosures. |
| Celeste C. Cairns, Karl E. Gillespie, Phil Shepard, and Steve Tyson | HB 869 | 04/09/2025 | Dynamic Symbol of Access. |
| Celeste C. Cairns and Charles W. Miller | HB 887 | 04/09/2025 | Address Abandoned and Derelict Vessels. |
| Celeste C. Cairns, Carson Smith, Charles W. Miller, and Steve Tyson | HB 597 | 03/31/2025 | Adopt Osprey as State Raptor. |
| Celeste C. Cairns, Brenden H. Jones, Howard Penny, Jr., and William D. Brisson | HB 296 | 03/05/2025 | Corn Farmer Recovery Act – Phase I. |
| Celeste C. Cairns, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Charles W. Miller, and Donna McDowell White | HB 275 | 03/04/2025 | Failure to Yield Penalties. |
| Celeste C. Cairns, Brenden H. Jones, Kyle Hall, and Mike Clampitt | HB 276 | 03/04/2025 | Align Benefits for Firefighters with Cancer. |
| Celeste C. Cairns | HB 281 | 03/04/2025 | Restore Down-Zoning/Multiple Municipalities. |
| Celeste C. Cairns, Bill Ward, Carson Smith, and Charles W. Miller | HB 206 | 02/25/2025 | Mod. Gun Retrieval – DVOs/Juvenile 911 Calls. |
| Celeste C. Cairns, Matthew Winslow, and Steve Tyson | HB 159 | 02/21/2025 | Orphan Roads Maintenance Program Grant. |
| Celeste C. Cairns, Brian Biggs, Erin ParĂ©, and Keith Kidwell | HB 4 | 01/29/2025 | Sam’s Law. |
| Celeste C. Cairns, Ben T. Moss, Jr., David Willis, and Keith Kidwell | HB 7 | 01/29/2025 | NC REACH Act. |
