State Legislation

Maryland’s Concussion Legislation

Dustin Fink3 Comments

These really slipped under the radar, but Maryland not only enacted one bill, but two.  Each chamber’s sponsored bill was accepted and signed into law by Governor Martin O’Mally on May 18th; each legislative piece will be in effect on July 1, 2011.

The Senate bill (MD sb0771e) and House bill (MD hb0858e), I believe to be, are the same; here are some highlights…

  • Includes all athletic activities for those aged 19 and younger
  • An informed consent that must be signed by parent/guardian and athlete
  • Removal from game if overt signs and symptoms
  • Cannot return until written clearance from “health care provider”

Maryland becomes the 15th state to enact concussion legislation, by our count.

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 →

The Morning Call Responds

Dustin FinkLeave a comment

The Morning Call newspaper has responded to the editorial/opinion of columnist Paul Carpenter (our take here), by printing some responses the paper received after the publishing of the column.  Included in the article were responses from the bill sponsor, State Senator Pat Browne, President of PA Athletic Trainer’s Society, Gregory Jank, and three other athletic trainers.

You can read the article in full HERE.  This was a class move by The Morning Call and along with this Carpenter is set to respond tomorrow as well.

I would like to say thank you to all that took the time to respectfully and professionally respond to the Morning Call and Mr. Carpenter, as action has been taken and will be further examined in tomorrows column.