BILL NUMBER: AB 588	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Fox

                        FEBRUARY 20, 2013

   An act to amend Section 49475 of the Education Code, relating to
school athletics.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 588, as introduced, Fox. School athletics: concussions.
   Existing law requires a school district, if it offers an athletic
program, to immediately remove an athlete from an athletic activity
for the remainder of the day if the athlete is suspected of
sustaining a concussion or head injury and prohibits the athlete from
returning to the activity until the athlete is evaluated by a
licensed health care provider, trained in the management of
concussions, and acting within the scope of his or her practice and
the athlete receives written clearance from the licensed health care
provider to return to the activity. Existing law also requires, on a
yearly basis, a concussion and head injury information sheet to be
signed and returned by the athlete and athlete's parent or guardian
before the athlete's initiating practice or competition.
   This bill would apply these provisions to athletes attending
private schools and would require the information sheet to include,
at a minimum, information regarding concussions and their symptoms.
The bill would authorize the information to be available in a digital
format, including, but not limited to, e-mail or an Internet Web
site.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 49475 of the Education Code is amended to read:

   49475.  (a) If a school district  or private school 
elects to offer an athletic program, the school district  or
private school  shall comply with both of the following:
   (1) An athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head
injury in an athletic activity shall be immediately removed from the
activity for the remainder of the day, and shall not be permitted to
return to the activity until he or she is evaluated by a licensed
health care provider, trained in the management of concussions,
acting within the scope of his or her practice. The athlete shall not
be permitted to return to the activity until he or she receives
written clearance to return to the activity from that licensed health
care provider.
   (2) On a yearly basis, a concussion and head injury information
sheet shall be signed and returned by the athlete and the athlete's
parent or guardian before the athlete's initiating practice or
competition.  The information sheet shall include, at a minimum,
information regarding concussions and their symptoms. The information
may also be available in a digital format, including, but not
limited to, e   -mail or an Internet Web site. 
   (b) This section does not apply to an athlete engaging in an
athletic activity during the regular schoolday or as part of a
physical education course required pursuant to subdivision (d) of
Section 51220.