Concussions in Youth Athletes - Florida

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Florida

Currently, Florida has no law regarding concussions. Concussion legislation introduced in the 2011 session did not pass and on March 8, 2012, the Florida Senate laid SB 256 on the table, which was introduced on September 16, 2012, effectively killing the legislation. SB 948 was introduced on November 15, 2011 and died in the Education Committee on 3/9/2012. HB 291 was also introduced on October 6 2011, passed the House on March 8, 2012 and is awaiting the Governor’s signature.

The text of HB 291 can be viewed online at:  http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2012/0291

HB 291 requires an independent sanctioning authority for youth athletic teams, for the state athletic association to adopt guidelines and policies relating to nature and risk of concussion and head injury in youth athletes; for parents to sign informed consent for participation in practice or competition, and mandated the removal from practice or competition under certain circumstances with written clearance from an appropriate health care practitioner trained in the evaluation and management of concussions before the athlete is permitted to return to play.

Until such time as Florida enacts applicable 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/