Concussions in Youth Athletes - Utah
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Utah
Governor Herbert signed HB 204 into law on March 21, 2011. This law is called the Protection of Athletes with Head Injuries Act, and can be found at sections 26-53-101 through 26-53-301. (Utah Code Ann. §§ 26-53-101 through 26-53-301).
This law requires amateur sports organizations to adopt and enforce concussion policies. Before permitting a child to participate, the organization must provide parents/guardians information on concussion policies and the parents/guardians must sign a form acknowledging their understanding of the concussion policy. If a child is suspected of sustaining a concussion, the child shall be immediately removed from participation and may not return until evaluated by a health care professional and cleared in writing.
The official versions of these sections are currently available online at:
http://le.utah.gov/UtahCode/section.jsp?code=26-53
On February 21, 2012, House Bill HB 415 was introduced, passed the Senate and awaits further house action.
The proposed legislation would amend the current law. The key revisions, if adopted, would require each “coach, teacher, employee, representative, or volunteer” to be aware of the amateur sports organization concussion policy and would require that the organization or its agent immediately remove a child from play known or should have been known of sustaining a concussion. The proposed amendment further clarifies the definition of “sporting event” not to include a government entity making a field, facility or location, which it controls, owns or leases available to an organization or a child.
There has been no further action taken on HB 415 since March 8, 2012. The text of HB 415 and amended HB 415 can be viewed online at:
