@PirateATC is at it again with a post about his home state and the legislation ready to be passed. On his blog he summarizes the bill and its impact on the community in which he works. I must say he is a very proactive athletic trainer being on the cutting edge and out in front of issues is the best practice for any profession, particularity with concussions.
The basics of the bill were described by Hollie Kozak, President of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association;
“As currently drafted, the legislation requires both school sponsored sports and “youth sports organizations” to adhere to the following requirements:
1.) Requires students to submit a form signed by their parent stating that the parent and the student have received concussion and head injury information sheet
2.) All coaches must hold a pupil activity permit (PAP) for coaching interscholastic athletics, and requires the (PAP) to develop additional training program specifically focused on brain trauma and brain injury management
3.) A coach shall remove from practice or competition a student suspected of having sustained concussion or head injury during a practice or game
4.) A student shall not be returned to practice or competition on the same day they were removed
5.) In order to return the student to play: the student must be assessed by a physician, or athletic trainer and must have written clearance to return to play or practice.
The Ohio Department of Health would be the regulatory body to oversee the program.”
I am very happy to see “youth sports” included on this, a step that every state must take. The younger the athlete the more complex this injury can become. Way to go Ohio…
The Concussion Blog 
Being from Ohio I am happy to read this. It will be interesting to see how this plays out, especially on the youth level where many, if not all, do not have trainers at their practices or games. From our experience you are going to get many coaches saying that they didn’t think the “hit” was hard enough to cause a concussion or any type of brain injury, so the kid gets to continue to play.
Sue, hopefully no levels have a “trainer” present with regards to concussions. I’m sorry, but as an ATHLETIC TRAINER, it is my duty to let you know that our title is “ATHLETIC TRAINER” and not “trainer.” I know it seems like nitpicking, but our profession does believe it’s important. Thanks!