Bill Text: MS SB2465 | 2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Mississippi Youth Concussion Law; clarify protocol for child's return to school sport.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Failed) 2015-02-03 - Died In Committee [SB2465 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2015-SB2465-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2015 Regular Session
To: Education; Insurance
By: Senator(s) Gollott, Tindell
Senate Bill 2465
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-24-3 AND 37-24-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT AN ATHLETE WHO REPORTS OR DISPLAYS ANY SYMPTOMS OR SIGNS OF A CONCUSSION IN A PRACTICE OR GAME SETTING SHOULD BE REMOVED IMMEDIATELY AND EVALUATED BY A LICENSED, QUALIFIED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL WORKING WITHIN THEIR SCOPE OF PRACTICE AS SOON AS CAN BE PRACTICALLY ARRANGED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 37-24-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-24-3. As used in this chapter, the following words and phrases have the meanings as defined in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(a) "Health care
provider" means a licensed physician * * *, a licensed nurse practitioner * * * or licensed physician assistant * * * under the direct supervision or
written consultation of a physician. All health care providers referred to in
this chapter also must be trained in the evaluation and management of * * * sports concussion injuries.
(b) "School athletic event" means activities sanctioned by the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) or the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS), and school-sponsored activities in Grades 7 through 12 of schools that are not members of the MHSAA or the MAIS which activities are organized and conducted in a manner substantially similar to activities that are sanctioned by the MHSAA or the MAIS.
SECTION 2. Section 37-24-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-24-5. Each local board of education, administration of a nonpublic school, and governing body of a charter school shall adopt and implement a concussion management and return-to-play policy that includes the following components:
(a) Parents or guardians shall receive and sign a copy of the concussion policy before the start of the regular school athletic event season.
(b) An athlete who reports or displays any symptoms or signs of a concussion in a practice or game setting shall be removed immediately from the practice or game. The athlete shall not be allowed to return to the practice or game for the remainder of the day regardless of whether the athlete appears or states that he or she is normal.
(c) The athlete shall
be evaluated by a health care provider * * *
as defined in Section 37-24-3(a) as soon as can be practically arranged.
(d) If an athlete has sustained a concussion, the athlete shall be referred to a licensed physician, preferably one with experience in managing sports concussion injuries.
(e) The athlete who
has been diagnosed with a concussion shall be returned to play only after full
recovery and clearance by a * * * licensed physician with
experience in managing sports concussion injuries.
(f) An athlete shall not return to a competitive game before demonstrating that he or she has no symptoms in a full supervised practice.
(g) Athletes shall not continue to practice or return to play while still having symptoms of a concussion.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2015.
