US Lacrosse Community Forum Forums NORTHEAST LACROSSE BOTC MAIN FORUM (LI, CT, WC) Concussions : State Laws for Schools and Youth Sports

As the assessment and treatment of concussions and concussion-like symptoms has evolved, many states have enacted laws designed to educate people about concussions, and protect the health and safety of young athletes.

Some state laws are only applicable to school-sponsored athletics, or to activities taking place on school-owned property. Other laws are applicable to all youth sports organizations, whether, or not, they are affiliated with a school district.

BOTC will be publishing the recent legislation actions for New [lacrosse], New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania on this subject in our following posts. Please be sure that your school and local clubs are familiar with the new legislative actions and requirements covering your student-athlete's activities.

New [lacrosse]

Governor Cuomo signed SB 3953–A into law on September 17, 2011. The pertinent part of this law can be found at section 305 of the education law, subsection 42. (N.Y. Educ. Law. § 305).

This law requires that the Commissioner of Education promulgate rules relating to concussions for any school sponsored activity, requiring: coaches to undergo concussion training on a biennial basis; the Department of Health to post concussion information on its website; the immediate removal of any student from an athletic activity if they are suspected of sustaining a concussion; and not permitting any student to return to play until evaluated by a licensed physician and is authorized in writing to return. A school district is permitted by this law to establish concussion management teams to oversee the implementation of these rules.

The law also provides that any not-for-profit youth sports organization may adopt these rules and regulations. Not-for-profit youth sports organizations utilizing school owned facilities may be required to show proof of insurance.

The official versions of this sections is currently available online at:

http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/LAWSSEAF.cgi?QUERYTYPE=LAWS+&QUERYDATA=$$EDN305$$@TXEDN0305+&LIST=LAW+&BROWSER=EXPLORER+&TOKEN=24591253+&TARGET=VIEW

The text of the bill can be viewed online at:

http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/api/1.0/lrs-print/bill/S3953A-2011

New Jersey

Governor Christie signed AB 2743 into law on December 7, 2010. The law went into effect at the start of the 2011-2012 school year. This law can be found at sections 18A:40-41.1 through 18A:40-41.5 of the New Jersey code, and is found in the title dealing with education and the chapter on promotion of health and prevention of disease. (N.J. Stat. Ann. §§ 18A:40-41.1 through 18A:40-41.5).

The law requires that the Department of Education develop and implement an interscholastic head injury prevention program to be completed by coaches and trainers involved in interscholastic sports programs as well as to develop fact sheets on concussions which must be distributed annually to the parents of athletes and which must be signed prior to an athlete’s participation that year. Each school district is required to develop written policies on concussions as well. Any student suspected of sustaining a concussion must be immediately removed and may not return until evaluated by a health care professional and given written clearance.

The official versions of these sections are not currently available online.

The text of the bill can be viewed online at:

http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2010/Bills/AL10/94_.HTM

Connecticut

Governor Rell signed SB 456 into law on May 19, 2010. This bill can be found at sections 10-149b and 10-149c of the Connecticut General Statutes, under the title dealing with education and the chapter concerning teachers. (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 10-149b through 10-149c).

In summary, the law provides that any coach, who is permitted under the State Board of Education, must: complete a course in head injuries, annually review information on concussions, and complete refresher courses. The courses and information are to be prepared by the State Board of Education. If a coach permitted by the State Board of Education suspects a student has suffered a concussion that student must be immediately removed from participation until they are cleared in writing by a health care professional. A coach’s permit may be revoked for a violation of these sections.

The official versions of sections 10-149b and 10-149c are currently available online at: http://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap166.htm#Sec10-149b.htm
http://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap166.htm#Sec10-149c.htm

The text of the bill can be viewed online at:
http://www.cga.ct.gov/2010/ACT/PA/2010PA-00062-R00SB-00456-PA.htm

Pennsylvania

The Governor approved a bill on November 9, 2011. This law can be found at 24 P.S. section 5321 through 24 P.S. section 5323 of the Pennsylvania Code, and will be effective July 1, 2012. (24 P.S. §§ 5321- 5323).

This law requires that the Department of Health and the Department of Education develop guidelines and materials on concussions. Each year, a student participating in an athletic activity must have a parent/guardian sign acknowledgement of receipt of this information before the student may participate in the activity. The law requires any student suspected of sustaining a concussion must be removed from participation at that time and is not allowed to resume participation until evaluated by a medical professional and given written clearance. The law also requires that coaches receive concussion training once each school year.

The sponsors of youth athletic activities not addressed by this act are encouraged to follow the guidance set forth in the act.

The official versions of these sections are not currently available online.

The text of the bill can be viewed online at:

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs...p;billTyp=B&billNbr=0200&pn=1637

In addition to the legislation, the most important short term action that any coach can take is a training course to help learn the signs of concussion.

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) has done an excellent presentation on line to help increase your ability to recognize the symptoms.

Web Site : CDC Heads-Up Concussion in Youth Sports Training