Alabama
Summary
HB 108
:
2011, To provide for the adoption of policies for the management of concussion and head injury in youth all sports, and mandate athletic head injury safety training.
Return to Play Authority
Licensed physician.
Alaska
Summary
HB 15
:
2011, Concussion law for education, concussions management and return to play and learn policies for student athletes under the age of 19.
Return to Play Authority
A qualified person who has received training, as verified in writing or electronically by the qualified person, in the evaluation and management of concussions. Law defines “qualified person” as a licensed health care provider or a person acting at the direction of and under supervision of a licensed physician.
Arizona
Summary
Law 15-341
:
2011, Concussion law for education, removal, and return to play guidelines for all pupils participating in school district sponsored practices, games or other interscholastic activities.
Return to Play Authority
Health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussions and head injuries. Law defines “health care provider” as a licensed physician, athletic trainer, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.
Arkansas
Summary
SB 1158
:
2013, Requires the Department of Health to develop concussion protocols to protect youth athletes engaged in youth athletic activities including interscholastic.
Return to Play Authority
A licensed healthcare provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussions.
California
Summary
Assembly Bill 25
:
2011, A school district, charter school, or private school elects to offer an athletic concussion management program.
Health & Safety Code 124235
:
2016, Expands athlete removal and return-to play provisions to youth sports organizations.
Return to Play Authority
A licensed healthcare provider who is trained in the evaluation and management of concussions and is acting within the scope of the provider’s practice for evaluation and management of concussions or other head injuries.
Colorado
Summary
Jake Snekenberg Youth Concussion Act 11-040
:
2012, The requirement that all coaches and youth athletes must follow concussion guidelines.
Return to Play Authority
Health Care Provider: M.D., D.O., licensed nurse practitioner, licensed physician assistant, doctor of psychology or doctor of chiropractic with training and specialization in concussion evaluation and management.
Connecticut
Summary
HB 5113
:
2014, Requires the Board of Education to create an education plan and require athletes to obtain written clearance to return to play.
Return to Play Authority
"Licensed health care professional" means a physician licensed, a physician assistant licensed, an advanced practice registered nurse or an athletic trainer licensed.
District of Columbia
Summary
SB 7
:
2011, Requires an all athletes under 18 years old who is suspected of sustaining a concussion in an athletic activity shall be removed from physical participation.
Return to Play Authority
A licensed or certified health-care provider.
Delaware
Summary
SB 111
:
2011, Concussion law enacted that requires education, recognition, removal, and return to play of student athletes.
Title 16
:
2016, To protect minors participating in all athletic activities who show symptoms of concussion, increase recognition of the symptoms of concussion through training and education, and establish standards for return to play.
Return to Play Authority
“Health-care provider” means a licensed physician (Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) or such other licensed health-care professional.
Florida
Summary
Law 1006.20
:
2012, Concussion law for education, removal, and return to play guidelines for all high school student athletes.
Return to Play Authority
An appropriate health care practitioner trained in the diagnosis, evaluation, and management of concussions as defined by the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee of the Florida High School Athletic Association.
Georgia
Summary
Law 20-2-324.1
:
2014, Concussion law for education, concussions management and return to play policies for student athletes.
Return to Play Authority
"Health care provider" means a licensed physician or another licensed individual under the supervision of a licensed physician, such as a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or certified athletic trainer who has received training in concussion evaluation and management.
Hawaii
Summary
HB 2273
:
2012, Required the department of education and Hawaii High School Athletic Association to develop a concussion educational program for students ages fourteen to eighteen.
HB 2211
:
2018, Expanded coverage to all children in the state which includes recreational and all ages 18 and under.
Return to Play Authority
Licensed health care provider, which law defines as an advanced practice registered nurse, certified or registered athletic trainer, neuropsychologist, physician assistant, physician, osteopathic physician, or physical therapist trained in the management of sports concussions.
Idaho
Summary
Title 33
:
2016, The state board of education and the Idaho high school activities association shall provide guidelines for the signs and symptoms of a concussion, removal, and return to play.
Return to Play Authority
"Qualified health care professional" means and includes any one (1) of the following who is trained in the evaluation and management of concussions:
- A physician or physician assistant licensed
- An advanced practice nurse licensed
- A licensed health care professional trained in the evaluation and management of concussions who is supervised by a directing physician who is licensed.
Illinois
Summary
Act 097-0204
:
2011, Requires the school boards to make concussion education available for student athletes.
Youth Sports Concussion Act 410 ILCS 145
:
2016, Encouraged youth sport leagues to participate in availability of concussion education facts.
Indiana
Summary
SEA No. 93
:
2012, This law requires schools to distribute concussion education to coaches, student athletes, and parents of student athletes. A high school athlete must follow guidelines for removal and return to play.
2014, This law extended the coverage to non-school "organizing entities" that use property owned, leased, or maintained by the state or other political subdivision.
SB 234
:
2016, Extending age groups 5-12 grades to follow SEA No. 93.
Return to Play Authority
A licensed health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussions.
Iowa
Summary
Act 280.13C
:
2011, Requires the high schools to comply with concussion education, removal, and return to play policies for student athletes.
Return to Play Authority
A “licensed health care provider” means a physician, physician assistant, chiropractor, advanced registered nurse practitioner, nurse, physical therapist, or athletic trainer licensed.
Kansas
Summary
HB 2182
:
2016, Requires the high schools to comply with concussion education, removal, and return to play policies for student athletes.
Return to Play Authority
Health care provider, which the law defines as a person licensed by the state board of healing arts to practice medicine and surgery.
Kentucky
Summary
Act 160.445
:
2012, Requires the board of education to designate interscholastic athletes to comply with concussion education, removal, and return to play policies.
Return to Play Authority
A physician.
Louisiana
Summary
Act 314
:
2011, Youth athletes playing in sports must be provided concussion education and guidelines for the removal of youth athletes from competition upon sustaining a concussion.
Return to Play Authority
"Health care provider" means a physician as defined a licensed nurse practitioner, licensed physician assistant, or a licensed psychologist, which person has received training in neuropsychology or concussion evaluation and management.
Maine
Summary
Act 20-A MRSA §254, sub-§17
:
2011, Requires the board of education to designate interscholastic athletes to comply with concussion education, removal, and return to play policies.
Return to Play Authority
Licensed health care provider trained in concussion management.
Maryland
Summary
HB 585
:
2011, Concussion law for education, concussions management and return to play policies for all sports for children under the age of 19.
Return to Play Authority
Licensed health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussions.
Massachusetts
Summary
SB S.2469
:
2010, Requires the board of education to designate interscholastic athletes to comply with concussion education, removal, and return to play policies.
Return to Play Authority
A physician, neuropsychologist, certified athletic trainer or other trained/licensed health professional allowed by Department of Public Health.
Michigan
Summary
SB 352
:
2013, Passed the Youth Concussion Law for ages 17 years old and younger.
Act 137
:
2018, All organized entities provide education materials to parents/guardians and athletes.
Return to Play Authority
Appropriate licensed Health Professional and whose scope of practice within that health profession includes the recognition, treatment and management of concussions.
Minnesota
Summary
SB 612
:
2011, Requires concussion guidelines to educate, remove, and clear for play for all youth athletes.
Return to Play Authority
Evaluated by a provider trained and experienced in evaluating and managing concussions.
Mississippi
Summary
HB 48
:
2014, Requires schools to design program to comply with concussion education, removal, and return to play policies for students.
Return to Play Authority
“Health care provider,” which is defined as a licensed physician or a licensed nurse practitioner, licensed physician assistant or licensed health care professional working within the person's scope of practice and under the direct supervision or written consultation of a physician. All health care providers referred to in this act also must be trained in the evaluation and management of concussions.
Missouri
Summary
Act 1025S.07T
:
2011, Requires schools to design policies to comply with concussion education, removal, and return to play policies for students.
Return to Play Authority
Licensed health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussions.
Montana
Summary
SB 112
:
2013, Requires each school district to adopt a policy addressing the dangers of concussions and provides minimum requirements for the contents of a district policy.
SB 0487
:
2017, Expanded coverage to youth athletic organizations.
Return to Play Authority
“Licensed health care professional" means a registered, licensed, certified, or otherwise statutorily recognized health care professional whose training includes the evaluation and management of concussions includes the evaluation and management of concussions consistent with current medical knowledge.
Nebraska
Summary
SB 260
:
2011, Requires all youth sports to comply with education, removal and return to play policies.
Return to Play Authority
A Licensed Health Care Professional means a physician or licensed practitioner under the direct supervision of a physician, e.g. physician assistant or nurse practitioners; a neuropsychologist, an athletic trainer; or a qualified individual able to (a) provide health care services where doing so falls within one’s scope of practice in Nebraska, and (b) is trained in the evaluation and management of traumatic brain injury among a pediatric population.
Nevada
Summary
SB 455
:
2011, Requires the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association to adopt policies concerning the prevention and treatment of injuries to the head sustained by students while participating in sports and other athletic activities.
2011, Requires the certain organizations for youth sports in the state to adopt policies concerning the prevention and treatment of injuries to the head.
Return to Play Authority
“Provider of health care” means a physician licensed, a physical therapist licensed, or an athletic trainer licensed or a practice registered nurse.
New Hampshire
Summary
HB 1113
:
2014, Requiring school districts to distribute a concussion and head injury information sheet to student-athletes and establishing a definition for head injury.
Return to Play Authority
Health care provider, which law defines as a person who is licensed, certified, or otherwise statutorily authorized by the state to provide medical treatment and is trained in the evaluation and management of concussions.
New Jersey
Summary
Title 18A Chapter 40
:
2011, The Department of Education shall work to develop and implement an interscholastic athletic head injury safety training program.
Return to Play Authority
Physician trained in the evaluation and management of concussions.
New Mexico
Summary
SB 1
:
2010, Requires schools to adapt concussion education and return to play protocol for parents, athletes and coaches.
SB 137
:
2016, Requires non-scholastic youth athletic activity to adapt concussion education, removal and return to play.
Return to Play Authority
Licensed health care professional, which law defines as a practicing and licensed physician or physician assistant, osteopathic physician, certified nurse practitioner, osteopathic physician assistant, psychologist, athletic trainer, or practicing physical therapist.
New York
Summary
SB S3953B
:
2011, Requires the commissioners of education and health to adopt and implement rules and regulations for a policy of concussions education, removal and return to play.
Return to Play Authority
A licensed physician.
North Carolina
Summary
HB 792
:
2011, Organizing entities shall develop an athletic concussion safety training program that includes education, removal, and return to play for athletic staff, students, and parents who participate in interscholastic athletic activities in the public schools.
Return to Play Authority
A licensed medical physician with training in concussion management or one of the following health care providers who has training in concussion management and is working in consultation with a medical physician: a neuropsychologist, a licensed athletic trainer, a licensed physician assistant, or a licensed nurse practitioner.
North Dakota
Summary
SB 2281
:
2011, Requires the development of a concussion management program for student athletes participating in school district and nonpublic school sponsored athletic activity.
Return to Play Authority
Licensed, registered, or certified health care provider whose scope of practice includes the diagnosis and treatment of concussion.
Ohio
Summary
HB 143
:
2012, Passed Interscholastic Concussion Law.
HB 143 Revised
:
2013, Requires policies for education, removal, and return to play for all Youth Sports Organizations (19 and younger) at all levels.
Return to Play Authority
A physician or from another licensed health care provider working with a physician.
Oklahoma
Summary
SB 1700
:
2010, Removal of a young athlete from participation in a practice or game following a suspected concussion or head injury in interscholastic sports in grade 9-12.
SB 1164
:
2016, Expanding coverage of law to include recreational youth sports.
Return to Play Authority
"Health care provider" means an individual who is registered, certified, licensed or otherwise recognized by the state to provide medical or psychological treatment and who is trained and experienced in the evaluation, management and care of concussions.
Oregon
Summary
SB 348
:
2013, All coaches must undergo concussion education and training annually. Requires student athletes to be removed from play and not return without clearance.
SB 1547
:
2018, Requires all nonschool athletic teams to have concussion education, removal, and return to play guidelines.
Return to Play Authority
“Health care professional” means a physician, psychologist, physician assistant or nurse practitioner licensed or certified under the laws of this state.
Pennsylvania
Summary
Safety in Youth Sports Act Title 24 Chapter 5322, 5323
:
2011, Establishes standards for managing concussions including removal and return to play for public school student athletes. Requires the department of health and education to make guidelines to educate students, their parents and coaches about the nature and risk of concussion.
Return to Play Authority
A licensed physician, a licensed or certified health care professional, or a licensed psychologist trained in the evaluation and management of concussions or who has postdoctoral training in neuropsychology and specific training in the evaluation and management of concussions.
Rhode Island
Summary
HB 7765
:
2016, Concussion law for education, concussions management and return to play policies for student athletes for children under the age of 19.
Return to Play Authority
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.
South Carolina
Summary
HB 3061
:
2013, Requires the Department of Education to develop concussion policies. Also requires the removal from play and medical evaluation. For high school students.
Return to Play Authority
A physician.
South Dakota
Summary
SB 149
:
2011, Requires the department of education to develop guidelines that include education, removal from play, and return to play for schools, coaches, athletes, and the parents of the risk of concussion. For high school students.
Return to Play Authority
A licensed health care provider is a person who is registered, certified, licensed, or otherwise recognized in law by the State of South Dakota to provide medical treatment; and trained and experienced in the evaluation, management, and care of concussions.
Tennessee
Summary
SB 882
:
2013, The department of health is required to create concussion protocol that relates to youth sports-related injuries and includes school youth athletic activities for ages under 18.
Return to Play Authority
"Health care provider" means a Tennessee licensed medical doctor, osteopathic physician, or a clinical neuropsychologist with concussion training.
Texas
Summary
HB 2038
:
2011, Prevention, treatment, and oversight of concussions affecting public school students participating in interscholastic athletics.
Return to Play Authority
A treating physician chosen by the student or the student's parent or guardian.
Utah
Summary
HB 0204
:
2011, Requires school and nonschool sport organizations to create concussion policies for management of concussion education, removal and return to play.
HB 0204S01
:
2018, Changed the definition of who could treat a concussion.
Return to Play Authority
"Qualified health care provider" means a health care provider who is licensed and may evaluate and manage a concussion within the health care provider's scope of practice.
Vermont
Summary
Act 1431
:
2011, To provide education to parents and student athletes prior to the school year and adapt a return to play policy. This law was updated in 2013 to include schools to have concussion management action plan.
Return to Play Authority
"Health care provider" means an athletic trainer, or other health care provider,, who has within the preceding five years been specifically trained in the evaluation and management of concussions and other head injuries.
Virginia
Summary
Law 22.1-271.5
:
2010, The Board of Education develop guidelines on policies to inform and education, concussion management and return to play and learn policies for student athletes and for recreational sports using public school property.
Return to Play Authority
Licensed health care provider as determined by state board of education.
Washington
Summary
Law 28A.600.190
:
2009, Concussion law for education, concussions management and return to play and learn policies for student athletes and private clubs using public property.
Return to Play Authority
A licensed health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussion.
West Virginia
Summary
SB 336
:
2013, Require protocols be made to protect and treat injury to youth athletes and students for grades 5-12.
Return to Play Authority
Licensed health care professional whose licensed scope includes the ability to diagnose and treat an injury or disease.
Wisconsin
Summary
Act 172
:
2012, Develop guidelines and other information for educating athletic coaches and athletes and their parents about the nature and risk of concussion and head injury in youth athletic activities, and create guidelines for removal of play, and return to play.
Return to Play Authority
"Health care provider" means a person to whom all of the following apply:
- He or she holds a credential that authorizes the person to provide health care.
- He or she is trained and has experience in evaluating and managing pediatric concussions and head injuries.
- He or she is practicing within the scope of his or her credential.
Wyoming
Summary
Act 97
:
2011, Requiring school boards to develop protocols for training of coaches and athletic trainers and education of students regarding head injury and concussion resulting from athletic activities.
