I would like to thank TCB reader Tamara for sending the following info regarding the Arizona concussions legislation;
On Monday, April 18, 2011, Governor Jan Brewer signed SB 1521 into law. The major provisions of this are as follows:
1. Mandates concussion education to coaches, athletes, and parents.
2. Requires removal from play of a school or youth sport athletes suspected of concussion
3. Requires the athlete to be evaluated by, and get written clearance from, an approved healthcare provider before returning to play. Approved providers includes licensed physicians (MD / DO), licensed physician assistants, licensed advanced practice nurse practitioners, and licensed athletic trainers.
4. Extends liability protection to schools and school districts.
All the information regarding the bill can be seen HERE. I do like the fact that the bill extends to ‘youth’ sports and extends liability protection for schools and districts that follow the rules. The common theme among all the bills are removal and requirements for evaluation, by a health care provider. It has become common recently that an athletic trainer is one of the accepted HCP’s, and to be honest this should be EXPECTED for those still mulling the bills.
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The Governor of Alaska also recently signed into law SB15; concussion legislation. This bill is very similar to those we have seen thus far with the highlights of;
- Removal and cannot return until evaluated by healthcare provider
- Extension of liability protection
- Specific language to include “youth sports” all activities for participants under the age of 19
Another good bill in my opinion, following the Colorado legislation model.
This brings the total to 17 of the States with signed legislation that we know of. If you know more be like Tamara and send us the information of passed and signed bills. Now if the Illinois Governor would get to signing the bill on his desk I could include my state.
The Concussion Blog 