Sec. 6. (a) As used in this section, “football” does not include flag football.

     (b) Prior to coaching football to individuals who are less than twenty (20) years of age and are in grades 1 through 12, each head football coach and assistant football coach shall complete a certified coaching education course that:

(1) is sport specific;

(2) contains player safety content, including content on:

(A) concussion awareness;

(B) equipment fitting;

(C) heat emergency preparedness; and

(D) proper technique;

(3) requires a coach to complete a test demonstrating comprehension of the content of the course; and

(4) awards a certificate of completion to a coach who successfully completes the course.

     (c) For a coach’s completion of a course to satisfy the requirement imposed by subsection (b), the course must have been approved by the department.

     (d) A coach shall complete a course in a manner prescribed by the state board under IC 20-28-5.5-1 or IC 20-28-5.5-1.5.

     (e) An organizing entity shall maintain a file of certificates of completion awarded under subsection (b)(4) to any of the organizing entity’s head coaches and assistant coaches.

     (f) A coach who complies with this chapter and provides coaching services in good faith is not personally liable for damages in a civil action as a result of a concussion or head injury incurred by an athlete participating in an athletic activity in which the coach provided coaching services, except for an act or omission by the coach that constitutes gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.

As added by P.L.34-2014, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.222-2015, SEC.16; P.L.135-2016, SEC.6; P.L.92-2020, SEC.87; P.L.250-2023, SEC.37.