SF 291

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 01/18/2023 07:54am

A bill for an act
relating to education; requiring sudden cardiac arrest screening for youth athletes;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 121A.37.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 121A.37, is amended to read:

121A.37 YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAMS.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Concussions. new text end

(a) Consistent with section 121A.38, any municipality,
business, or nonprofit organization that organizes a youth athletic activity for which an
activity fee is charged shall:

(1) make information accessible to all participating coaches, officials, and youth athletes
and their parents or guardians about the nature and risks of concussions, including the effects
and risks of continuing to play after receiving a concussion, and the protocols and content,
consistent with current medical knowledge from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, related to:

(i) the nature and risks of concussions associated with athletic activity;

(ii) the signs, symptoms, and behaviors consistent with a concussion;

(iii) 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

(iv) the need for a youth athlete who sustains a concussion to follow proper medical
direction and protocols for treatment and returning to play; and

(2) require all participating coaches and officials to receive initial online training and
online training at least once every three calendar years thereafter, consistent with clause (1)
and the Concussion in Youth Sports online training program available on the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention website.

(b) A coach or official shall remove a youth athlete from participating in any youth
athletic activity when the youth athlete:

(1) exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion; or

(2) is suspected of sustaining a concussion.

(c) When a coach or official removes a youth athlete from participating in a youth athletic
activity because of a concussion, the youth athlete may not again participate in the activity
until the youth athlete:

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

(2) is evaluated by a provider trained and experienced in evaluating and managing
concussions and the provider gives the youth athlete written permission to again participate
in the activity.

(d) Failing to remove a youth athlete from an activity under this section does not violate
section 604A.11, subdivision 2, clause (6), consistent with paragraph (e).

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Sudden cardiac arrest screening. new text end

new text begin A municipality, business, nonprofit
organization, or school as defined in section 120A.22, subdivision 4, that organizes a youth
athletic activity for which an activity fee is charged must require a participating youth athlete
to submit a medical eligibility form signed by a health care provider. The eligibility form
must indicate that the youth athlete has been screened for conditions associated with sudden
cardiac arrest and has been assessed with a double-cuff blood pressure measurement device.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Liability. new text end

deleted text begin (e) deleted text end This section does not create any additional liability for, or create
any new cause of legal action against, a municipality, business, or nonprofit organization
or any officer, employee, or volunteer of a municipality, business, or nonprofit organization.

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Municipality. new text end

deleted text begin (f) deleted text end For the purposes of this section, a municipality means a home
rule charter city, a statutory city, or a town.