2014 -- H 7367

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LC004326

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - SCHOOL AND YOUTH PROGRAMS CONCUSSION ACT

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Gallison, Bennett, Silva, Casey, and Marshall

     Date Introduced: February 06, 2014

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Sections 16-91-1 and 16-91-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-91

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entitled "School and Youth Programs Concussion Act" are hereby amended to read as follows:

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     16-91-1. Findings of fact. -- The general assembly hereby finds and declares: (1)

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Concussions are one of the most commonly reported injuries in children and adolescents who

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participate in sports and recreational activities. A concussion is caused by a blow or motion to the

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head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull. The risk of catastrophic

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injuries or death is significant when a concussion or head injury is not properly evaluated and

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managed.

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      (2) Concussions are a type of brain injury that can range from mild to severe and can

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disrupt the way the brain normally works. Concussions can occur in any organized or

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unorganized sport or recreational activity and can result from a fall or from players colliding with

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each other, the ground, or with obstacles. Concussions occur with or without loss of

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consciousness, but the vast majority occurs without loss of consciousness.

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      (3) Continuing to play with a concussion or symptoms of a head injury leaves the young

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athlete especially vulnerable to greater injury and even death. The general assembly also

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recognizes that, despite having generally recognized return to play standards for concussion and

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head injury, some affected youth athletes are prematurely returned to play resulting in actual or

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potential physical injury or death to youth athletes in the State of Rhode Island.

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      (4) Concussions can occur in any sport or recreational activity, furthermore, symptoms

 

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of concussions may manifest themselves after the injury during school hours and in the classroom

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setting. All teachers, school nurses, coaches, parents, and athletes shall be advised of the signs

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and symptoms of concussions as well as the protocol for treatment.

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     16-91-3. School district's guidelines to be developed and implemented. -- (a) The

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department of education and the department of health shall work in concert with the Rhode Island

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Interscholastic League to develop and promulgate guidelines to inform and educate coaches,

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teachers, school nurses, youth athletes, and their parents and/or guardians of the nature and risk of

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concussion and head injury including continuing to play after concussion or head injury. A

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concussion and head injury information sheet shall be signed and returned by the youth athlete

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and the athlete's parent and/or guardian prior to the youth athlete's return to practice or

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competition.

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      (b) School districts are required to use training materials made available by the United

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States Center for Disease Control and Prevention entitled "Heads Up: Concussion in the High

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School Sports/Concussion in Youth Sports" and any updates or amendments thereto, or training

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materials substantively and substantially similar thereto. The department of education shall post

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training materials made available by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention on its

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website. All coaches and volunteers involved in a youth sport or activity covered by this chapter

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must complete a training course and a refresher course annually thereafter in concussions and

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traumatic brain injuries. Provided that the training and refresher course are low-cost or no cost, all

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teachers and school nurses must complete a training course and an annual refresher course in

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concussions and traumatic brain injuries. Training may consist of videos, classes, and any other

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generally accepted mode and medium of providing information. School districts are encouraged

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to have school nurses complete a training course in concussions and traumatic brain injuries.

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      (c) School districts are encouraged to have all student athletes perform baseline

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neuropsychological testing, computerized or otherwise. Parents and/or guardians shall be

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provided with information as to the risk of concussion and/or traumatic brain injuries prior to the

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start of every sport season and they shall sign an acknowledgement as to their receipt of such

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information.

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      (d) A youth athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in a

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practice or game shall be removed from competition at that time.

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      (e) A youth athlete, who has been removed from play, may not return to play until the

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athlete is evaluated by a licensed physician who may consult with an athletic trainer, all of whom

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shall be trained in the evaluation and management of concussions. The athlete must receive

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written clearance to return to play from that licensed physician.

 

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      (f) All school districts are encouraged to have an athletic trainer or similarly trained

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person at all recreational and athletic events addressed by this statute.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - SCHOOL AND YOUTH PROGRAMS CONCUSSION ACT

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     This act would require teachers and school nurses to complete a low or no cost training

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course and an annual refresher course in concussions and traumatic brain injuries.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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