SUMMARY: LC 33 5098SThe bill enacts the "Return to Play Act of 2013" to require public, private, and charter schools to provide information to parents on the nature and risk of concussion and head injury; and to establish concussion management and return to play policies. Definitions of terms are included in the bill.
REQUIREMENTS:
Each local board, governing body of a nonpublic school, and governing body of a charter school shall adopt and implement a concussion management and return to play policy including at least the following:
- Prior to the beginning of each athletic season, provide an information sheet to all athletes' parents or legal guardians which informs them of the nature and risk of concussion and head injury.
- If a youth athlete participating in an athletic activity exhibits symptoms of having a concussion, that athlete shall be removed from the game, competition, tryout, or practice and be evaluated by a health care provider.
- If the health care provider determines the athlete has a concusion, the coach or other designated personnel shall not permit the youth athlete to return to play until he/she has received clearance from a health care provider for a full or graduated return to play.
Each public recreation facility shall, at the time of registration for a youth athletic activity, provide an information sheet to all youth athletes' parents or legal guardians which informs them of the nature and risk of concussion and head injury.
Public recreation facilities are strongly encouraged to establish and implement a concussion management and reurn to play policy.
The Department of Public Health shall endorse one or more concussion recognition education courses to inform Georgians of the nature and risk of concussions in youth athletics, at least one of which shall be available online.
The Code secion shall not create any liability for, or create a cause of action against the governing entities or the officers, employees, volunteers, or other designated personnel of such entities for any act or omission to act related to the removal or nonremoval of an athlete from a game, competition, tryout, or practice.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
July 1, 2013
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