DENVER (AP) – The Colorado Senate approved a bill that would prevent young athletes believed to have suffered a concussion from returning to a game unless they’ve received medical clearance.

Senate Bill 40 would also require that youth athletic coaches receive annual training to recognize concussions. The Senate passed the bill Tuesday and it now goes to the House.

The proposal requires coaches to bench athletics who may have suffered a concussion.

Nine states have passed similar legislation in the last 20 months.

Colorado’s bill is named after Jake Snakenberg, a Colorado high school football player who died after being hit in a game. Doctors told his family that his injury was compounded by what was likely an undiagnosed concussion from an earlier game.

The bill doesn’t apply to college athletics.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)