Section 1. Youth Sports Programs, Paragraph (a).  An organization that organizes and charges a fee for a youth athletic activity is required to:

1. make information about the nature and risks of concussions accessible to all participating coaches, officials, youth athletes and parents;
2. require all participating coaches and officials to receive annual training consistent with clause (1) and the Concussion in Youth Sports training program available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site; and
3. require the youth athlete and their parent or guardian to sign a concussion information form before participating in the athletic activity.

Paragraph (b) requires a coach or official to remove a youth athlete from the athletic activity if the youth athlete:

1. exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion; or
2.  is suspected of sustaining a concussion.

Paragraph (c).  A youth athlete that is removed from an athletic activity is prohibited from returning to the activity until they:

1.  no longer exhibit signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion;
2. are evaluated by a trained provider and the provider gives them written permission to return to the activity; and
3.  the provider develops a plan to aid the youth athlete in recovering and resuming participation in athletic activities and academics that:

     (i) is coordinated with periods of cognitive and physical rest while symptoms persist; and

     (ii) reintroduces cognitive and physical demands on the young person on a progressive basis only as increases in exertion do not cause symptoms to reemerge or worsen.

Paragraph (d).  Failure to remove a young athlete from an activity under this section does not violate section 604A.11, subdivision 2, clause (6) (Volunteer Athletic Coaches and Officials; Immunity from Liability.)

Effective Date.   Makes the section effective September 1, 2011.

Section 2. Concussion Procedures.  Subdivision 1.  Definitions.  Paragraph (a) defines “concussion” as a complex pathophysiological process affecting the brain, induced by traumatic biokinetic forces caused by a direct blow to either the face, head, or neck, with an impulsive force transmitted to the head that may involve the rapid onset of short-lived impairment of neurological function and clinical symptoms, loss of consciousness, or prolonged postconcussive symptoms.

Paragraph (b) defines “provider” as a licensed health care provider who is:

1. registered, licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized by the state to provide medical treatment; and
2. trained and experienced in evaluating and managing pediatric concussions.

Paragraph (c) defines “youth athlete” as a young person through age 18 who actively participates in an athletic activity, including a sport.

Paragraph (d) defines “youth athletic activity” as any athletic activity related to competition, practice, or training exercises.

Subdivision 2.  School-sponsored sports. Paragraph (a).  A sports governing body is required to work with the Department to make information accessible to public and nonpublic school coaches, officials, and youth athletes and their parents about concussions, including the effects of continuing to play after receiving a concussion.  The information must be consistent with current medical knowledge from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Paragraph (b).  The sports governing body and the Department are required to provide access to the Concussion in Youth Sports training program available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site.  A school coach or official must complete the online training program at least annually.

Paragraph (c).  A youth athlete and their parent or guardian must sign and submit a concussion information form developed by the Department before the youth athlete may participate in a youth athletic activity in a school year.

Paragraph (d) requires a coach or official to remove a youth athlete from the athletic activity if the youth athlete:

1. exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion; or
2. is suspected of sustaining a concussion.

Paragraph (e).  A youth athlete that is removed from an athletic activity is prohibited from returning to the activity until they:

1. no longer exhibit signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion;
2. are evaluated by a trained provider and the provider gives them written permission to return to the activity; and
3. the provider develops a plan to aid the youth athlete in recovering and resuming participation in athletic activities and academics that:

               (i) is coordinated with periods of cognitive and physical rest while symptoms persist; and

               (ii) reintroduces cognitive and physical demands on the young person on a progressive basis only as increases in exertion do not cause symptoms to reemerge or worsen.

Paragraph (f).  Failure to remove a young athlete from an activity under this section does not violate Section 604A.11, subdivision 2, clause (6) (Volunteer Athletic Coaches and Officials; Immunity from Liability.)

Effective Date.  Makes the section effective for the 2011-2012 school year and later.

Section 3.  Concussion awareness, safety, and protection.  The Minnesota High School League is required to adopt a policy for making information on concussions in youth athletes accessible to member high schools. 

Effective Date.   Makes the section effective for the 2011-2012 school year and later.

AMBY/syl