RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Youth sports programs that use public school property would have to establish procedures for identifying and handling concussions if legislation advancing in the Virginia General Assembly becomes law.

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The House Education Committee voted 16-5 to endorse the bill Monday. The measure has already passed the Senate.

Democratic Sen. Ralph Northam, a Norfolk pediatric neurologist, is the bill's sponsor. He says sports-related concussions are a big problem that needs to be addressed.

Public schools already are required to have concussion policies. Northam's bill would extend that mandate to non-interscholastic sports programs using public school athletic fields and gymnasiums.

Opponents of the legislation said they were reluctant to impose the state's will on private organizations.