7.6 PRSR 06-12-2019 - Laserfiche WebLink

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1 • The signs, symptoms, and behaviors consistent with a concussion; • The need to alert appropriate medical professionals for urgent diagnosis and treatment when a youth athlete is suspected or observed to have received a concussion; AND • The need for a youth athlete who sustains a concussion to follow proper medical direction and protocols for treatment and returning to play. The simplest approach for a city may be to use the free online course and printable information already found on the CDC website. The CDC program is titled Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports. Once coaches and officials finish the e-learning program and quiz, they can print a certificate demonstrating completion. The city should document compliance with the law by preserving copies of coaches and officials’ certificates of completion and copies of materials provided to parents and participants. Cities are not required to use the CDC program. However, any program a city uses or designs must be consistent with the CDC program. What are coaches and officials required to do under the new law? The law has additional requirements for coaches and officials. In addition to completing the training already discussed, a coach or official must also remove youth athletes from participating in activities when: • The youth exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion; or • The youth is suspected of sustaining a concussion. When a coach or official removes a youth athlete from participating in a youth athletic activity because of a concussion, the youth athlete may not again participate in the activity until the youth athlete: • No longer exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion; AND • Is evaluated by a healthcare provider trained and experienced in evaluating and managing concussions; AND • The healthcare provider gives the youth athlete written permission to again participate in the activity. Does the new law make the city liable for concussion injuries that youth may receive? No. The new law does not create any additional liability for, or create any new cause legal action against a city providing youth sports activities. In addition, the law does not alter immunities given to volunteer coaches under state law. Currently, Minn. Stat. 604A.11 provides that volunteer coaches and trainers are generally not liable to players, participants, or spectators for injuries during sporting events. The new concussion law specifically provides that these protections remain in place for coaches, even if a coach fails to remove a youth athlete