Bill Text: IN SB0093 | 2011 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Concussions and head injuries in student athletes.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2011-05-18 - Effective 07/01/2011 [SB0093 Detail]
Download: Indiana-2011-SB0093-Amended.html
Citations Affected: IC 20-34; IC 34-30.
Synopsis: Concussions and head injuries in student athletes. Requires
the department of education, in consultation with specified persons, to
disseminate guidelines, information sheets, and forms to school
corporations for distribution to schools to inform and educate coaches,
student athletes, and parents of student athletes of the nature and risk
of concussions and head injuries. Requires that a high school student
athlete and the student athlete's parent be given information concerning
head injuries and concussions and return a form acknowledging receipt
of the information to the student athlete's coach each year before
beginning practice for a sport. Requires that a high school student
athlete who is suspected of sustaining a head injury or concussion be
removed from play at the time of the injury. Provides that the student
athlete may not return to play until the student athlete has been
evaluated and received written clearance from a licensed health care
provider trained in evaluating head injuries. Provides that a health care
provider who, as a volunteer, provides head injury evaluations to
student athletes has immunity from civil liability for acts or omissions
arising from the evaluations, except for gross negligence or willful or
wanton misconduct.
Effective: July 1, 2011.
January 5, 2011, read first time and referred to Committee on Health and Provider
Services.
February 14, 2011, amended, reported favorably _ Do Pass.
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Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
education.
Chapter 7. Student Athletes: Concussions and Head Injuries
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "association" has the meaning set forth in IC 20-26-14-1.
Sec. 2. (a) Before July 1, 2012, the department shall disseminate guidelines, information sheets, and forms to each school corporation for distribution to a school to inform and educate coaches, student athletes, and parents of student athletes of the nature and risk of concussion and head injury to student athletes, including the risks of continuing to play after concussion or head injury.
(b) The department:
(1) may consult with the association, medical professionals, and others with expertise in diagnosing and treating concussions and head injuries; and
(2) may request the assistance of the association in disseminating the guidelines, information sheets, and forms required under subsection (a).
(c) The department may disseminate the materials required under this section in an electronic format.
Sec. 3. Each year, before beginning practice for an interscholastic or intramural sport, a high school student athlete and the student athlete's parent:
(1) must be given the information sheet and form described in section 2 of this chapter; and
(2) shall sign and return the form acknowledging the receipt of the information to the student athlete's coach.
The coach shall maintain a file of the completed forms.
Sec. 4. A high school student athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in a practice or game:
(1) shall be removed from play at the time of the injury; and
(2) may not return to play until the student athlete has received a written clearance under section 5(a) of this chapter.
Sec. 5. (a) A high school student athlete who has been removed from play under section 4 of this chapter may not return to play until the student athlete:
(1) is evaluated by a licensed health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussions and head injuries; and
(2) receives a written clearance to return to play from the health care provider who evaluated the student athlete.
(b) A licensed health care provider who evaluates a student athlete under subsection (a) may conduct the evaluation as a volunteer. A volunteer health care provider who authorizes a student athlete to return to play is not liable for civil damages resulting from an act or omission in the rendering of an evaluation, except for acts or omissions that constitute gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.
