Concussions in Youth Athletes - Arkansas

Print

Arkansas

The Arkansas Legislature passed House Bill 1743, which became law on July 27, 2011 and can be found at Section 6-18-708 of the Arkansas Code (A.C.A. Section 6-18-708).

The law requires public school districts to develop procedures concerning certain health conditions including concussions that a student athlete my encounter during athletic training and physical activities. Any person employed as an athletic coach is required to complete training every 3 years regarding health conditions identified in the statute including concussions.

Title 6 (Education) of the Arkansas Code, Section 6-18-708 is currently available online at:

http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/arcode/Default.asp (using the “natural language button type in concussion and search).

The text of House Bill 1743 can be viewed online at:

http://www.arkansashouse.org/bill/2011R/HB1743

Until such time as Arkansas enacts more comprehensive legislation, LLB encourages its leagues, teams and youth sports programs to familiarize themselves with the information and resources provided by the Centers for Disease Control Prevention, available through their website: www.cdc.gov/Concussion

The Centers for Disease Control Prevention is helping to support states, leagues, and schools by developing educational resources in line with components in many of the return to play laws through the development of a FREE Heads Up program.

The Centers for Disease Control Prevention Heads Up initiative provides the following:

1. Online course for coaches and parents. In under 30 minutes coaches and parents can learn about identifying a suspected concussion and how to respond. After completing the training and quiz, coaches and parents can print out a certificate, making it easy to show their league or school they are ready for the season. Coaches online training can be accessed at: http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/online_training.html

2. Parent/Athlete information sheet with signature lines that can be ordered or downloaded and distributed during registration or prior to the first practice.

3. Online course for health care professionals on concussion in sports diagnosis and return to school and play management. This one hour course provides an overview of what health care professionals need to know about concussion in sports and includes a free continuing education opportunity through the American College of Sports Medicine. Healthcare professionals’ online training can be accessed at http://preventingconcussions.org/