[Approved by Governor September 30, 2013. Filed with Secretary of State September 30, 2013.]
AB 588, 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 athletic 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 athletic 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. The bill would also make various nonsubstantive changes.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
Section 49475 of the Education Code is amended to read:
(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 athletic activity for the remainder of the day, and shall not be permitted to return to the athletic activity until he or she is evaluated by a licensed health care provider who is trained in the management of concussions and is acting within the scope of his or her practice. The athlete shall not be permitted to return to the athletic activity until he or she receives written clearance to return to the athletic 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 initiates practice or competition.
(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.
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