Gov. Chris Gregoire signed into law today a bill written to help prevent serious head injuries to high-school athletes from a concussion.

The prime sponsor of the bill was Rep. Jay Rodne, R-North Bend, who represents the 5th Legislative District including Maple Valley and Black Diamond.

The measure is named for Zachery Lystedt, a Maple Valley resident.

According to a written summary accompanying the bill, Lystedt was playing middle school football when he suffered a head injury.

The summary stated, “After making a good tackle, he didn’t get up from the field. He did not suffer loss of consciousness. After being kept out for a while, he returned to the game and played in the third and fourth quarters. After the game ended he collapsed. He had to have emergency brain surgery shortly after he arrived at the hospital, and that was followed by a second emergency brain surgery. It is his story which has been a catalyst for this bill.”

The bill calls for school districts along with the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association to develop “policies for the management of concussion and head injury in youth sports.”