BILL NUMBER: AB 588	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 13, 2013

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 amended, 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 
charter schools and  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  , charter school,  or
private school elects to offer an athletic program, the school
district  , charter school,  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  ,   who is  trained
in the management of concussions  ,  and 
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 
 athlete initiates  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.