BILL NUMBER: AB 2007	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member McCarty

                        FEBRUARY 16, 2016

   An act to add Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 124235) to
Chapter 4 of Part 2 of Division 106 of the Health and Safety Code,
relating to youth athletics.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2007, as introduced, McCarty. Youth athletics: youth sports
organizations: concussions or head injuries.
   Existing law requires a school district, charter school, or
private school, 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 additionally apply these provisions to athletes
participating in youth sports organizations, as defined.
   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.  Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 124235) is added
to Chapter 4 of Part 2 of Division 106 of the Health and Safety Code,
to read:

      Article 2.5.  Youth Sports Concussion Protocols


   124235.  (a) A youth sports organization that elects to offer an
athletic program 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. 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 a
licensed health care provider. If the licensed health care provider
determines that the athlete sustained a concussion or a head injury,
the athlete shall also complete a graduated return-to-play protocol
of no less than seven days in duration under the supervision of a
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, if the athlete
is 17 years of age or younger, by the athlete's parent or guardian,
before the athlete initiates practice or competition.
   (b) As used in this section, the following terms have the
following meanings:
   (1) "Licensed health care provider" means a licensed health care
provider who is trained in the management of concussions and is
acting within the scope of his or her practice.
   (2) "Youth sports organization" means an organization that
sponsors or conducts athletic competitions, camps, or clubs in which
persons 17 years of age or younger participate.
   (c) This section shall not be construed to prohibit a youth sports
league, or any other appropriate entity, from adopting and enforcing
rules intended to provide a higher standard of safety for athletes
than the standard established under this section.