STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 53rd Legislature (2011)

SENATE BILL 63	By:	Anderson

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to head injuries in youth athletes; amending Section 1, Chapter 264, O.S.L. 2010 (70 O.S. Supp. 2010, Section 24-155), which relates to head injuries in youth athletes; providing for certain religious exemption; requiring certain waiting period; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1.     AMENDATORY     Section 1, Chapter 264, O.S.L. 2010 (70 O.S. Supp. 2010, Section 24-155), is amended to read as follows:
Section 24-155.  A.  Each school district board of education shall work in cooperation with the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association to develop the guidelines and other pertinent information and forms to inform and educate coaches, youth athletes, and their parents or guardians of the nature and risk of concussion and head injury, including continuing to play after concussion or head injury.  On an annual basis, a concussion and head injury information sheet shall be completed and returned to the school district by the youth athlete and the athlete's parent or guardian prior to the youth athlete's participation in practice or competition.
B.  A youth athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury during a practice or game shall be removed from participation at that time.
C.  A youth athlete who has been removed from participation as provided in subsection B of this section may not participate until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussion and receives written clearance to return to participation from that health care provider.  The health care provider may be a volunteer.  A volunteer who authorizes a youth athlete to return to participation shall not be liable for civil damages resulting from any act or omission in the rendering of such care, other than acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.
D.  A youth athlete who, through a written statement submitted by a parent, guardian, or legal custodian to the school district, refuses or states an intention to refuse the evaluation by a licensed health care provider required in subsection C of this section on religious grounds shall be exempt from such requirement.  Any youth athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury and refuses to receive medical treatment on religious grounds shall not be permitted to participate in practice or in a game for a minimum of two (2) weeks following the injury.
SECTION 2.  This act shall become effective July 1, 2011.
SECTION 3.  It being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and approval.

53-1-19	JM	1/22/2004 5:07:01 AM