2016 -- H 7639

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- SCHOOL AND YOUTH PROGRAMS CONCUSSION ACT

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Kazarian, Amore, O'Brien, Messier, and McKiernan

     Date Introduced: February 12, 2016

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 16-91-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-91 entitled "School and

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Youth Programs Concussion Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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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 and the

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Rhode Island Interscholastic League on its website. All coaches and volunteers involved in a

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youth sport or activity covered by this chapter must complete a training course and a refresher

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course annually thereafter in concussions and traumatic brain injuries. All school nurses must

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complete a training course and an annual refresher course in concussions and traumatic brain

 

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injuries. Teachers and teachers' aides are strongly encouraged to complete the training 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.

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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; provided, however, that

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notwithstanding the foregoing, all school districts shall be required to designate an athletic trainer

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licensed pursuant to chapter 60 of title 5 for each high school within its district to be available for

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all of the high school's athletic practices and games.

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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 all school districts to designate an athletic trainer to be available

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for high school athletic practices and games.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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