Ohio

Ohio’s New Concussion Law FAQ’s

Dustin Fink1 Comment

I was forwarded an information sheet on the newly enacted Ohio Return to Play Law.  It appears as a Frequently Asked Questions form, here are some highlights;

  • Guidelines for both interscholastic and youth sports
  • Who can clear the athlete
  • Specific definition of required training for coaches, referees and officials of youth sports
  • Resources for parents and athletes

This “fact sheet/FAQ” is probably the best written resource I have seen regarding the new return to play legislative actions by states.  It is good that each state is doing something, but in my honest opinion these laws are just a start.

Unfortunately it took actions by legislature to make it perfectly clear that those with concussions, show signs of concussion or report concussion symptoms shall not return on the same day and must be evaluated by a health care professional.  This is something we have known for a few years now.  Each state piece is great for raising awareness.

What we need to advance is the true problem of this concussion “crisis”, that is the proper management and overall treatment of the brain injury.  Concussions will occur, it is an inherent part of all sports – essentially something we cannot “control” – however we can certainly control how the after effects of each concussion are handled.

Ohio Concussion Legislation On The Way

Dustin Fink2 Comments

@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 Continue reading →