Concussions in Youth Athletes - Ohio

Print

Ohio

Currently, Ohio has no law or pending legislation regarding concussions. Legislation hB 143 is pending, but not passed. It was sent to committee after being introduced in March 2011 and no legislative action has taken place since that time.

The text of the pending bill can be viewed online at:

http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=129_HB_143

The proposed law applies to interscholastic athletics and requires athletes to submit a form signed by their parent or guardian stating that they have received the concussion and head injury information sheet required by the Code. No organization shall permit an individual to act as a coach unless they have successfully completed, within the previous three years, a training program developed under this Code. It also requires the immediate removal of a youth athlete who appears to have suffered a concussion from play or practice, and the student cannot return on the same day, but must be assessed by a physician and receive written clearance to return. The legislation also provides for the creation of a concussion and head injury information sheet to educate coaches, athletes and their parents or guardians of the signs and symptoms of concussion or head injury and the risks of continuing to engage in sports after sustaining a concussion or head injury. The information sheet is to be made available on its web site in a format suitable for easy downloading and printing. The website is also to provide a link to one or more free online training programs in recognizing and evaluating concussions and head injuries for coaches of schools and youth sports organizations. Finally, the proposed legislation holds that an employee or volunteer is not liable for civil damages arising from any act or omission in the assessment of a concussion or head injury and clearance to return to play granted by a physician or athletic director.

Until such time as Ohio 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/