Concussions in Youth Athletes - Arizona
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Governor Brewer signed SB 1521 into law on April 18, 2011. This law can be found at section 15-341(24)(b) of the Arizona Code, under the title dealing with education and the chapter dealing with local governance of schools and the powers and duties of local school districts. (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 15-341(24)(b)).
In summary, the law requires the governing board of the school district to prescribe and enforce policies related to the health and safety of students, including developing guidelines and forms about the dangers of concussions and head injuries. The policies must require that before a student participates in the activity the parent/guardian must sign a form once a year stating they are aware of the nature and risks of concussions. The policy must also require that a student suspected of having a concussion must be immediately removed from the activity by a coach, health care provider or parent. A child may return the same day if a health care provider (as defined by the statute) rules out a concussion. A child may return to play only after receiving written clearance from a health care professional. The law also contains immunity provisions for health care providers and for school districts.
This law applies to any group or organization that uses property or facilities owned by a school district. The law does not apply to teams that are based in another state and that participate in an athletic activity in Arizona. The definition of “athletic activity” does not currently include dance, rhythmic gymnastics, competitions or exhibitions of academic skills or knowledge or other similar forms of physical non-contact activities, civic activities or academic activities, whether engaged in for the purposes of competition or recreation.
The official versions of section 15-341(24)(b) is currently available online at:
http://www.azleg.gov/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/ars/15/00341.htm&Title=15&DocType=ARS
Senate Bills 1035 and 1462 were introduced into the Arizona Legislature on January 9 and 31, 2012 respectively.
SB 1035 would amend the existing law to include a new paragraph requiring guidelines, information and training with regard to heat index and the dangers of dehydration, heat stroke and other heat-related symptoms and conditions. This legislation does not otherwise propose any substantive changes to the existing statute.
SB 1462 in its current form would minimally amend the statute with word and grammar changes and would not affect the present law substantively.
The text of SB 1035 and SB 1462 can be viewed online at:
http://www.azleg.gov//FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/legtext/50leg/2r/bills/sb1035s.htm&Session ID=107
http://www.azleg.gov//FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/legtext/50leg/2r/bills/sb1462s.htm&Session ID=107
The Arizona legislative website is not allowing a status search for disposition of prior introduced legislation in January 2012.
