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H.B. 204

             1     

PROTECTION OF ATHLETES WITH HEAD INJURIES

             2     
2011 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Paul Ray

             5     
Senate Sponsor: John L. Valentine

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill enacts the Protection of Athletes With Head Injuries Act within the Utah
             10      Health Code.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    defines terms;
             14          .    requires an amateur sports organization to:
             15              .    adopt and enforce a concussion and head injury policy; and
             16              .    inform a parent or guardian of the policy and obtain the parent's or guardian's
             17      signature on the policy before permitting a child to participate in a sporting
             18      event;
             19          .    describes the requirements of a concussion and head injury policy;
             20          .    requires removal of a child from a sporting event when the child is suspected of
             21      sustaining a concussion or head injury; and
             22          .    prohibits a child described in the preceding paragraph from participating in a
             23      sporting event of the amateur sports organization until the child receives medical
             24      clearance from a health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of a
             25      concussion.
             26      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             27          None


             28      Other Special Clauses:
             29          None
             30      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             31      ENACTS:
             32          26-53-101, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             33          26-53-102, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             34          26-53-201, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             35          26-53-301, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             36     
             37      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             38          Section 1. Section 26-53-101 is enacted to read:
             39     
CHAPTER 53. PROTECTION OF ATHLETES WITH HEAD INJURIES ACT

             40     
Part 1. General Provisions

             41          26-53-101. Title.
             42          This chapter is known as the "Protection of Athletes With Head Injuries Act."
             43          Section 2. Section 26-53-102 is enacted to read:
             44          26-53-102. Definitions.
             45          As used in this chapter:
             46          (1) "Agent" means a coach, teacher, employee, representative, or volunteer.
             47          (2) (a) "Amateur sports organization" means, except as provided in Subsection (2)(b):
             48          (i) a sports team;
             49          (ii) a public or private school;
             50          (iii) a public or private sports league;
             51          (iv) a public or private sports camp; or
             52          (v) any other public or private organization that organizes, operates, manages, or
             53      sponsors a sporting event for its members, enrollees, or attendees.
             54          (b) "Amateur sports organization" does not include a professional:
             55          (i) team;
             56          (ii) league; or
             57          (iii) sporting event.
             58          (3) "Child" means an individual who is under the age of 18.


             59          (4) "Licensed health care provider" means:
             60          (a) a physician or surgeon licensed under:
             61          (i) Title 58, Chapter 67, Utah Medical Practice Act; or
             62          (ii) Title 58, Chapter 68, Utah Osteopathic Medical Practice Act;
             63          (b) a physician assistant, licensed under Title 58, Chapter 70a, Physician Assistant Act;
             64      or
             65          (c) an athletic trainer, as defined in Section 58-40a-102 .
             66          (5) "Sporting event" means any of the following athletic activities that is organized,
             67      operated, managed, or sponsored by any organization:
             68          (a) a game;
             69          (b) a practice;
             70          (c) a sports camp;
             71          (d) a physical education class;
             72          (e) a competition; or
             73          (f) a tryout.
             74          Section 3. Section 26-53-201 is enacted to read:
             75     
Part 2. Concussion and Head Injury Policy

             76          26-53-201. Adoption and enforcement of concussion and head injury policy --
             77      Notice of policy to parent or guardian.
             78          Each amateur sports organization shall:
             79          (1) adopt and enforce a concussion and head injury policy that:
             80          (a) is consistent with the requirements of Section 26-53-301 ; and
             81          (b) describes the nature and risk of:
             82          (i) a concussion or head injury; and
             83          (ii) continuing to participate in a sporting event after sustaining a concussion or head
             84      injury;
             85          (2) ensure that each agent of the amateur sports organization is familiar with, and has a
             86      copy of, the concussion and head injury policy; and
             87          (3) before permitting a child to participate in a sporting event of the amateur sports
             88      organization:
             89          (a) provide a written copy of the concussion and head injury policy to a parent or legal


             90      guardian of a child; and
             91          (b) obtain the signature of a parent or guardian of the child, acknowledging that the
             92      parent or legal guardian has read, understands, and agrees to abide by, the concussion and head
             93      injury policy.
             94          Section 4. Section 26-53-301 is enacted to read:
             95     
Part 3. Medical Clearance

             96          26-53-301. Removal of child suspected of sustaining concussion or head injury --
             97      Medical clearance required before return to participation.
             98          An amateur sports organization, and each agent of the amateur sports organization,
             99      shall:
             100          (1) immediately remove a child from participating in a sporting event of the amateur
             101      sports organization if the child is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury; and
             102          (2) prohibit the child described in Subsection (1) from participating in a sporting event
             103      of the amateur sports organization until the child:
             104          (a) is evaluated by a licensed health care provider who is trained in the evaluation and
             105      management of a concussion; and
             106          (b) provides to the amateur sports organization written clearance from the licensed
             107      health care provider described in Subsection (2)(a) for the child to resume participation in the
             108      sporting event of the amateur sports organization.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 11-22-10 6:54 AM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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