ASCIP

RISK ALERT!

 

Date:                   October 18, 2011

 

Attention:           ASCIP Members

 

Subject:              CONCUSSION RULES

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In light of recent media attention given to football-related concussions, government officials, health authorities and the National Football League are calling for control measures to encourage athletes to seek medical treatment after a concussion head injury and prior to returning to play.  The Mayo Clinic defines a concussion as a brain injury resulting from a sudden hard blow or jolt to the head. 

On May 7, 2010, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) passed Bylaw 313 which requires student-athletes participating in football who are suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury to be evaluated and released by a D.O. or M.D. prior to returning to play. 

In October of 2011, Governor Brown signed AB 25 which adds Education Code Section 49475 (effective January 1st, 2012) and ultimately broadens the scope of concussion monitoring to all student athletes.  Ed Code Section 49475 requires that any school district offering an athletic program(s) to do both of the following:

·         Annually provide a “concussion and head injury information sheet” to athletes and their parents/guardians, requiring that the sheet  be signed by both the athlete and the parent/guardian   and returned to the school. 

·         Immediately remove any athlete, who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in an athlete activity, for the remainder of the day and require the athlete to be evaluated by a licensed health care provider (LCHP) and provide a written clearance by the LCHP before returning to the athletic activity.

While AB 25 broadens the requirements for concussion monitoring during athletic activities, it does not apply to students, regardless of athlete status, participating in physical education coursework as required by Ed Code Section 51220.

Members should insure that their athletic directors and staff familiarize themselves with the signs and symptoms of concussions and work to develop   a concussion reporting policy and procedure.  ASCIP Staff is available to assist in answering questions regarding concussion regulations as they may arise.