Section 167.765

Title XI EDUCATION AND LIBRARIES

Chapter 167

Effective - 28 Aug 2011   

  167.765.  Interscholastic youth sports brain injury prevention, rulemaking authority — information distribution — removal of athletes from competition, when. — 1.  The provisions of this section shall be known as the "Interscholastic Youth Sports Brain Injury Prevention Act".  No later than December 31, 2011, the department of health and senior services shall work with a statewide association of school boards, a statewide activities association that provides oversight for athletic or activity eligibility for students and school districts, and an organization named by the department of health and senior services that specializes in support services, education, and advocacy of those with brain injuries to promulgate rules which develop guidelines, pertinent information, and forms to educate coaches, youth athletes, and parents or guardians of youth athletes of the nature and risk of concussion and brain injury including continuing to play after concussion or brain injury.  The primary focus of rules promulgated under this section shall be the safety and protection against long-term injury to the youth athlete.

  2.  On a yearly basis, each school district shall distribute a concussion and brain injury information sheet to each youth athlete participating in the district's athletic program.  The information form shall be signed by the youth athlete's parent or guardian and submitted to the school district prior to the youth athlete's participation in any athletic practice or competition.

  3.  A youth athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or brain injury in a practice or game shall be removed from competition at that time and for no less than twenty-four hours.

  4.  A youth athlete who has been removed from play shall not return to competition until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussions as defined in the guidelines developed under subsection 1 of this section and receives written clearance to return to competition from that health care provider.

  5.  Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028.  This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2011, shall be invalid and void.

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(L. 2011 H.B. 300, et al.)