2014 -- S 2181

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LC003893

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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: Senators Felag, Walaska, and Metts

     Date Introduced: January 30, 2014

     Referred To: Senate Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

managed.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

competition.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

information.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

     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

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

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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