Bill Text: CA AB588 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: School athletics: concussions.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2013-09-30 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 423, Statutes of 2013. [AB588 Detail]

Download: California-2013-AB588-Amended.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 588	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  SEPTEMBER 3, 2013
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 13, 2013

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Fox

                        FEBRUARY 20, 2013

   An act to amend Section 49475 of the Education Code, relating to
school athletics.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 588, as amended, Fox. School athletics: concussions.
   Existing law requires a school district, if it offers an athletic
program, to immediately remove an athlete from an athletic activity
for the remainder of the day if the athlete is suspected of
sustaining a concussion or head injury, and prohibits the athlete
from returning to the  athletic  activity until the athlete
is evaluated by a licensed health care provider, trained in the
management of concussions, and acting within the scope of his or her
practice, and the athlete receives written clearance from the
licensed health care provider to return to the  athletic 
activity. Existing law also requires, on a yearly basis, a concussion
and head injury information sheet to be signed and returned by the
athlete and athlete's parent or guardian before the athlete's
initiating practice or competition.
   This bill would apply these provisions to athletes attending
charter schools and private schools  , and would require the
information sheet to include, at a minimum, information regarding
concussions and their symptoms  . The bill would 
authorize the information to be available in a digital format,
including, but not limited to, e-mail or an Internet Web site.
 also make various nonsubstantive changes. 
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 49475 of the Education Code is amended to read:

   49475.  (a) If a school district, charter school, or private
school elects to offer an athletic program, the school district,
charter school, or private school shall comply with both of the
following:
   (1) An athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head
injury in an athletic activity shall be immediately removed from the
 athletic  activity for the remainder of the day, and shall
not be permitted to return to the  athletic  activity until
he or she is evaluated by a licensed health care provider who is
trained in the management of concussions and  is  acting
within the scope of his or her practice. The athlete shall not be
permitted to return to the  athletic  activity until he or
she receives written clearance to return to the  athletic 
activity from that licensed health care provider.
   (2) On a yearly basis, a concussion and head injury information
sheet shall be signed and returned by the athlete and the athlete's
parent or guardian before the athlete initiates practice or
competition.  The information sheet shall include, at a
minimum, information regarding concussions and their symptoms. The
information may also be available in a digital format, including, but
not limited to, e-mail or an Internet Web site. 
   (b) This section does not apply to an athlete engaging in an
athletic activity during the regular schoolday or as part of a
physical education course required pursuant to subdivision (d) of
Section 51220.