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HF 905

as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 03/07/2011 09:32am

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.
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A bill for an act
relating to health; establishing policies for youth athletes with concussions
resulting from participation in youth athletic activities; proposing coding for new
law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 123B.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [123B.495] CONCUSSION PROCEDURES.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin As used in this section, the following terms have the
meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (a) "Concussion" means a complex patho-physiological process affecting the brain,
induced by traumatic biokinetic forces caused either by a direct blow to the head, face,
or neck or elsewhere on the body with an impulsive force transmitted to the head.
Concussion typically results in the rapid onset of short-lived impairment of neurological
function and clinical symptoms that may or may not involve loss of consciousness,
although postconcussive symptoms may be prolonged.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Licensed health care provider" means a qualified individual who is:
new text end

new text begin (1) registered, licensed, certified, or otherwise statutorily recognized by the state of
Minnesota to provide medical treatment; and
new text end

new text begin (2) trained and experienced in the evaluation and management of concussions
among a pediatric population.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Youth athlete" includes an individual who is:
new text end

new text begin (1) 18 years of age or younger; and
new text end

new text begin (2) an active participant in a sport.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Youth athletic activity" includes any athletic activity related to competition,
practice, or training exercises.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin School-sponsored sports. new text end

new text begin (a) The appropriate sports governing body shall
work with the Department of Education to provide guidelines to inform public and private
school coaches, officials, youth athletes, and parents or guardians of the nature and risk of
concussion, including the effects of continuing to play after concussion. The guidelines
and information shall include protocols and content consistent with current medical
knowledge provided by the Center for Disease Control for informing each coach, official,
youth athlete, and parent or guardian participating in youth athletic activities as to:
new text end

new text begin (1) the nature and risk of concussions associated with athletic activity;
new text end

new text begin (2) the signs, symptoms, and behaviors consistent with a concussion;
new text end

new text begin (3) the need to alert appropriate medical professionals for urgent diagnosis and
treatment when a youth athlete is suspected or observed to have received a concussion; and
new text end

new text begin (4) the need to follow proper medical direction and protocols for treatment and
returning to play after a youth athlete sustains a concussion.
new text end

new text begin (b) The appropriate sports governing body and the Department of Education shall
provide access to a training program consistent with paragraph (a). Each member school
coach and official participating in youth athletic activities must complete the training
program at least once each school year.
new text end

new text begin (c) A concussion information form shall be signed and returned by each youth
athlete and the athlete's parent or guardian to an official designated by the school prior to
the youth athlete's participation in youth athletic activities for the subsequent school year.
new text end

new text begin (d) A coach or official shall remove a youth athlete from participating in any youth
athletic activity at the time the youth athlete:
new text end

new text begin (1) exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion; or
new text end

new text begin (2) is suspected of sustaining a concussion.
new text end

new text begin (e) A youth athlete who has been removed from participation in a youth athletic
activity because of a concussion may not return to youth athletic activities until the
youth athlete:
new text end

new text begin (1) no longer exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion;
and
new text end

new text begin (2) receives an evaluation by a licensed health care provider trained and experienced
in the evaluation and management of concussions and receives written clearance to return
to play from the health care provider stating that the youth athlete is capable of resuming
participation in athletic activities; and
new text end

new text begin (3) if the health care provider determines that a plan is necessary, has a plan
developed by a licensed health care provider designed to aid the student in recovering and
resuming participation in athletic activities and academics, in a manner that:
new text end

new text begin (i) is coordinated, as appropriate, with periods of cognitive and physical rest while
symptoms of a concussion persist; and
new text end

new text begin (ii) reintroduces cognitive and physical demands on the student on a progressive
basis only as increases in exertion do not cause the reemergence or worsening of
symptoms of a concussion.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Other youth sports programs. new text end

new text begin (a) Any city, business, or nonprofit
organization that organizes a youth athletic activity and requires a fee to participate in
the athletic activity or whose cost to participate in the athletic activity is sponsored by a
business or nonprofit organization shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) provide guidelines and information on concussions to all coaches, officials, youth
athletes, and parents or guardians of each athlete that shall include protocols and content
consistent with current medical knowledge for informing each coach, official, youth
athlete, and parent or guardian participating in youth athletic activities as to:
new text end

new text begin (i) the nature and risk of concussions associated with athletic activity;
new text end

new text begin (ii) the signs, symptoms, and behaviors consistent with a concussion when a youth
athlete is suspected or observed to have received a concussion;
new text end

new text begin (iii) the need to alert appropriate medical professionals for urgent diagnosis and
treatment; and
new text end

new text begin (iv) the need to follow proper medical direction and protocols for treatment and
return to play;
new text end

new text begin (2) require that all coaches and officials receive annual training consistent with
clause (1) to educate them about the nature and risk of concussion, including continuing
to play after concussion;
new text end

new text begin (3) require that a concussion information form be signed and returned by each youth
athlete and the athlete's parent or guardian prior to the youth athlete's participation in
youth athletic activities for the subsequent year.
new text end

new text begin (b) A coach or official shall remove a youth athlete from participation in any youth
athletic activity at the time the youth athlete:
new text end

new text begin (1) exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion; or
new text end

new text begin (2) is suspected of sustaining a concussion.
new text end

new text begin (c) A youth athlete who has been removed from participation in a youth athletic
activity may not return to youth athletic activities until the youth athlete:
new text end

new text begin (1) no longer exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion;
and
new text end

new text begin (2) receives an evaluation by a licensed health care provider trained and experienced
in the evaluation and management of concussions and receives written clearance to return
to play from the health care provider stating that the youth athlete is capable of resuming
participation in athletic activities; and
new text end

new text begin (3) if the health care provider determines that a plan is necessary, has a plan
developed by a licensed health care provider designed to aid the student in recovering and
resuming participation in athletic activities and academics, in a manner that:
new text end

new text begin (i) is coordinated, as appropriate, with periods of cognitive and physical rest while
symptoms of a concussion persist; and
new text end

new text begin (ii) reintroduces cognitive and physical demands on the student on a progressive
basis only as increases in exertion do not cause the reemergence or worsening of
symptoms of a concussion.
new text end