Concussions in Youth Athletes - Michigan

Print

Michigan

Currently, Michigan has no law regarding concussions. HB 4396 was introduced on March 8, 2011, was referred to the Committee on Education, and no further action has been taken since. Senate Bill No. 716 was introduced on October 4, 2011, and was immediately referred to the Senate Education Committee, and no further action has been taken since.

The text of the proposed bills can be viewed online at:

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(ptrwzv55fwdq4sfev2y4vn3f))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=2011-SB-0716

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(ptrwzv55fwdq4sfev2y4vn3f))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=2011-HB-4396

HB 4396 would require each school board to develop guidelines and information on concussions. Before allowing a student to participate in an athletic activity, the student and parent would be required to be provided with a concussion information sheet and both sign and return the sheet to the school. If a student is suspected of sustaining a concussion, the law would require the student be removed from the activity at that time and not be allowed to return until evaluated by a licensed health care professional and given written clearance.

SB 716 would require the Boards of each school district or directors of a public school academy offering interscholastic or other competitive athletic programs to develop guidelines and other pertinent information to inform and educate coaches, student athletes, and parents and guardians about the nature and risk of concussion and head injury including continued participation after sustaining a concussion or head injury.

Until such time as Michigan 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/