TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - The Florida House has unanimously passed a bill requiring coaches and others to pull student athletes from play or practice after a head injury.

The bill (HB 291) was approved 116-0 on Thursday.

It also prevents any student athlete from returning to competition after a head injury until given the all-clear from a physician.

The measure ensures that parents or guardians sign an "informed consent" form about the dangers of concussions before a student can join a team.
    

The issue of student athlete concussions - essentially when the brain bruises from knocking against the inside of the skull - has risen in importance in recent years.
    

Multiple concussions over time can cause irreversible brain damage.

Victims suffer problems in thinking and in controlling emotions, among other problems.