Concussions in Youth Athletes - Nevada

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Nevada

Legislation (AB 455) was signed introduced on March 28, 2011 and was signed by the Governor on May 31, 2011, effective July 1, 2011.

The law has three different sections. Section 455A.200 provides that each organization for youth sports that sanctions or sponsors competitive sports for youths must adopt a policy concerning the prevention and treatment of injuries to the head and that to the extent practicable, the policy must be consistent with the policy adopted by the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association, as described below. Section 386.435 requires the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association to adopt a policy on head injuries in youth athletes requiring the athlete be removed immediately upon sustaining a suspected concussion, may not return until given written clearance from health care professional, and that before participating, the student and parents must return a form acknowledging receipt of information on concussions. Section 392.452 requires that, regarding all competitive sports not governed by the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association, each school district must adopt a concussion prevention policy which should be consistent with the policies under the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association. The policy must require that if a student is suspected of sustaining a concussion, they must be immediately removed and may not return to participation until given written clearance by a health care provider. The policy should also require parents/guardians to annually sign a concussion information sheet before their child participates in the sport or activity. Section 392.452 also requires that, regarding all competitive sports not governed by the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association, each school district must adopt a policy concerning the prevention and treatment of injuries to the head and to the extent practicable, the policy must be consistent with the policy adopted by the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association under the new provision of chapter 386.

The official versions of these sections may be viewed online at:

http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Division/Legal/LawLibrary/NRS/NRS-392.html; http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Division/Legal/LawLibrary/NRS/NRS-455A.html;

http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Division/Legal/LawLibrary/NRS/NRS-386.html#NRS386Sec435

At the present time there is no legislation pending in the Nevada Legislature to amend or repeal the existing law.