Concussions in Youth Athletes - Vermont
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Vermont
Governor Shumlin signed SB 100 into law on May 31, 2011. This law can be found at 16 V.S.A. section 1431, under the title dealing with Education and the chapter dealing with health. (Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 16, § 1431). The law was amended with enactment of HB 604, which was introduced on January 26, 2012.
This law requires the commissioner of education to develop statewide guidelines, forms and information on concussions. The principal of each school must ensure: that the information is provided annually to student athletes; each parent/guardian and student annually sign a form acknowledging receipt of the information; and each coach receive concussion training at least every two years. If a student is suspected of sustaining a concussion, the student may not participate until examined by a health care professional and cleared in writing. A coach is precluded from allowing a youth athlete to participate in further play, if the coach had reason to believe that the athlete has sustained a concussion or head injury during practice or in the course of a competition. A coach is also precluded from returning an athlete to play who was removed from play as a result of a concussion or head injury until the athlete is evaluated and written clearance is received from a health care provider.
The official versions of this section is currently available online at:
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/statutes/fullsection.cfm?Title=16&Chapter=031&Section=01431
HB 559, which is proposed legislation regarding Health Care Reform Implementation, was also introduced in 2012, and contains the identical language as part of a much large measure. The governor signed HB 559 into law on May 16, 2012 amending the statute as previously described.
The text of the HB 604 can be viewed online by clicking on the bill number at:
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/database/status/summary.cfm?Bill=H%2E0604&Session=2012
The text of HB 559 can be viewed online by clicking on the bill number at:
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/database/status/summary.cfm?Bill=H%2E0559&Session=2012
