H.B. 269

1

TRAINING OF SCHOOL NURSES
2 2013 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Paul Ray
5 Senate Sponsor: Allen M. Christensen
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill modifies Title 26, Chapter 53, Protection of Athletes with Head Injuries Act,
10 and Title 53A, Chapter 6, Educator Licensing and Professional Practices Act, by
11 clarifying the requirements of a school nurse engaged in treating a student who sustains
12 a concussion or traumatic head injury.
13 Highlighted Provisions:
14 This bill:
15 . permits a school nurse to treat a child who sustains a concussion or traumatic head
16 injury during school hours on school property;
17 . prohibits a school nurse from providing a written statement permitting the child to
18 return to physical education class after sustaining a concussion or traumatic head
19 injury unless the nurse has been trained in the evaluation and management of a head
20 injury; and
21 . requires a school nurse to, as funding allows, undergo training in the evaluation and
22 management of a concussion, unless the school where the nurse is employed has an
23 athletic trainer or other qualified health care provider who is trained in the
24 evaluation and management of a concussion.
25 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
26 None
27 Other Special Clauses:

28 None
29 Utah Code Sections Affected:
30 ENACTS:
31 26-53-401, Utah Code Annotated 1953
32 53A-6-113, Utah Code Annotated 1953
33
34 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
35 Section 1. Section 26-53-401 is enacted to read:
36 26-53-401. School nurses evaluating student injuries.
37 (1) A school nurse may treat a child who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or a
38 traumatic head injury during school hours on school property regardless of whether the nurse
39 has received specialized training in the evaluation and management of a concussion.
40 (2) A school nurse who does not meet the requirements of Subsections
41 23-53-301 (1)(b)(i) and (1)(b)(ii)(A), but who treats a child who is suspected of sustaining a
42 concussion or traumatic head injury under Subsection (1):
43 (a) shall refer the child to a qualified health care provider who is trained in the
44 evaluation and management of a concussion; and
45 (b) may not provide a written statement permitting the child to resume participation in
46 physical education class under Subjection 26-53-301 (1)(b)(ii).
47 (3) A school nurse shall undergo training, described in Section 53A-6-112 , in the
48 evaluation and management of a concussion, as funding allows.
49 Section 2. Section 53A-6-113 is enacted to read:
50 53A-6-113. Training of school nurses to evaluate and manage a concussion.
51 (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), a school nurse shall, as funding allows:
52 (a) be trained in the evaluation and management of a concussion; and
53 (b) complete a continuing education course in the evaluation and management of a
54 concussion at least once every three years.
55 (2) A school nurse is excused from the requirements of Subsection (1) if the nurse
56 works at a school that has an athletic trainer or other qualified health care provider on staff who
57 meets the requirements to be able to evaluate a child who sustains a concussion or traumatic
58 head injury described in Section 26-53-301 .

Legislative Review Note
as of 10-9-12 2:02 PM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel

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