Concussions in Youth Athletes - Idaho

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Idaho

Governor Otter signed HB 676 into law on April 11, 2010. This law can be found at section 33-1625 of the Idaho Code, under the title dealing with education and the chapter on courses of instruction. (Idaho Code Ann. § 33-1625). [This law was repealed by SB 632 and will no longer be effective after July 1, 2012.]

The current law requires that the state Board of Education develop concussion guidelines and information sheets in collaboration with the state high school activities association to be provided to parents/guardians, coaches, volunteers, and athletes and provides for the availability of these resources to the general public and sport organizations.

Two proposals were introduced in 2012. House Bill 548 was introduced on February 15, 2012 and sought to amend the statute enacted in April 2010. However, House Bill (HB) 632 was subsequently introduced on March 2, 2012, and was signed by the Governor on April 3, 2012, and repeals the former law effective on July 1, 2012. HB 632 repeals old section 33-1625 and replaces it with a new section 33-125.

The text of the HB 632 can be viewed online at:

http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2012/H0632.htm

After July 1, 2012, the new law will apply to any middle school, junior high school, and high school and defines “youth athlete” or “athlete” as an individual who is 18 or younger and participating at the middle, junior high or high school level in a school athletic league or sport. It also requires the State Board of Education and the Idaho High School Activities Association to provide access and information and guidelines regarding concussions and head injuries in accordance with standards of the Center for Disease Control through a link on both organizations’ websites. It would further require the athlete and parent/guardian shall receive guidelines and information from the school which the athlete plays for. Coaches, officials, game judges and athletic trainers would be required to review the same information biannually. Under this law, during a game, practice or competition, if an athlete is suspected of a concussion or head injury as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, then the athlete shall be removed and may return to play once evaluated and authorized to do by a qualified health care professional as defined under the Act.

HB 548 would amend section 33-1625 by deleting the legislative intent, renaming it concussion guidelines, and requiring provision of guideline and information regarding concussion by the Department of Education and Idaho High School Activities Association. The proposed legislation would require athletes and parent/guardian to sign an information sheet regarding concussions annually and establish guidelines for return to play. An athlete suspected of sustain a concussion must be immediately removed from play and the decision may not be made by the coach. An athlete remove from play may return to play the same day, if evaluated and authorized by a health care professional; otherwise may not return to activity, which includes practice for at least one day and must do so with clearance. A parent may not serve in the role as a qualified health care professional. The proposal defines youth sports organization to include non-school based programs.