Concussions in Youth Athletes - New York

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New York

Governor Cuomo signed SB 3953–A into law on September 17, 2011. The pertinent part of this law can be found at section 305 of the education law, subsection 42. (N.Y. Educ. Law. § 305).

This law requires that the Commissioner of Education promulgate rules relating to concussions for any school sponsored activity, requiring: coaches to undergo concussion training on a biennial basis; the Department of Health to post concussion information on its website; the immediate removal of any student from an athletic activity if they are suspected of sustaining a concussion; and not permitting any student to return to play until evaluated by a licensed physician and is authorized in writing to return. A school district is permitted by this law to establish concussion management teams to oversee the implementation of these rules.

The law also provides that any not-for-profit youth sports organization may adopt these rules and regulations. Not-for-profit youth sports organizations utilizing school owned facilities may be required to show proof of insurance.

The official version of this section is currently available online at:

http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/LAWSSEAF.cgi?QUERYTYPE=LAWS+&QUERYDATA=$$EDN305$$@TXEDN0305+&LIST=LAW+&BROWSER=EXPLORER+&TOKEN=24591253+&TARGET=VIEW

SB 185 is a pre-filed bill to the 2013-2014 legislative session of the New York State General Assembly, which would seek to amend the existing law through the creation of a concussion management advisory board to advise the department of education with regard to best practices for concussion management.

The text of SB 185 can be viewed online at:

http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=S00185&term=2013&Summary=Y&Actions=Y&Text=Y