2014 -- H 7367 SUBSTITUTE A
Enacted 07/02/14
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
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 Sstate 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 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 and the
Rhode Island Interscholastic League 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. All
school nurses must complete a training course and an annual refresher course in
concussions and traumatic brain injuries. Teachers and teachers' aides are
strongly encouraged to complete the training 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.
(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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LC004326/SUB A
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