Ohio Code 3707.511 – Concussion awareness, training and procedures in youth sports organizations
(A) As used in this section:
Terms Used In Ohio Code 3707.511
- Amendment: A proposal to alter the text of a pending bill or other measure by striking out some of it, by inserting new language, or both. Before an amendment becomes part of the measure, thelegislature must agree to it.
- Common law: The legal system that originated in England and is now in use in the United States. It is based on judicial decisions rather than legislative action.
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- Internet: means the international computer network of both federal and nonfederal interoperable packet switched data networks, including the graphical subnetwork known as the world wide web. See Ohio Code 1.59
- Person: includes an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, and association. See Ohio Code 1.59
- Property: means real and personal property. See Ohio Code 1.59
- state: means the state of Ohio. See Ohio Code 1.59
(1) “Licensing agency” has the same meaning as in section 4745.01 of the Revised Code.
(2) “Licensed health care professional” means an individual, other than a physician, who is authorized under Title XLVII of the Revised Code to practice a health care profession.
(3) “Physician” means a person authorized under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery.
(B) A youth sports organization shall provide to the parent, guardian, or other person having care or charge of an individual who wishes to practice for or compete in an athletic activity organized by a youth sports organization the concussion and head injury information sheet required by section 3707.52 of the Revised Code. The organization shall provide the information sheet annually for each sport or other category of athletic activity for or in which the individual practices or competes.
(C)(1) No individual shall act as a coach or referee for a youth sports organization unless the individual holds a pupil-activity program permit issued under section 3319.303 of the Revised Code for coaching interscholastic athletics or presents evidence that the individual has successfully completed, within the previous three years, a training program in recognizing the symptoms of concussions and head injuries to which the department of health has provided a link on its internet web site under section 3707.52 of the Revised Code.
(2) The youth sports organization for which the individual intends to act as a coach or referee shall inform the individual of the requirement described in division (C)(1) of this section.
(D) If an individual practicing for or competing in an athletic event organized by a youth sports organization exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with having sustained a concussion or head injury while participating in the practice or competition, the individual shall be removed from the practice or competition by one of the following:
(1) The individual who is serving as the individual’s coach during that practice or competition;
(2) An individual who is serving as a referee during that practice or competition;
(3) An official of the youth sports organization who is supervising that practice or competition.
(E)(1) If an individual is removed from practice or competition under division (D) of this section, the coach, referee, or official who removed the individual shall not allow the individual, on the same day the individual is removed, to return to that practice or competition or to participate in any other practice or competition for which the coach, referee, or official is responsible. Thereafter, the coach, referee, or official shall not allow the student to return to that practice or competition or to participate in any other practice or competition for which the coach, referee, or official is responsible until both of the following conditions are satisfied:
(a) The individual’s condition is assessed by any of the following who has complied with the requirements in division (E)(4) of this section:
(i) A physician;
(ii) A licensed health care professional the youth sports organization, pursuant to division (E)(2) of this section, authorizes to assess an individual who has been removed from practice or competition under division (D) of this section;
(iii) A licensed health care professional who meets the minimum education requirements established by rules adopted under section 3707.521 of the Revised Code by the professional’s licensing agency.
(b) The individual receives written clearance that it is safe for the individual to return to practice or competition from the physician or licensed health care professional who assessed the individual’s condition.
(2) A youth sports organization may authorize a licensed health care professional to make an assessment or grant a clearance for purposes of division (E)(1) of this section only if the professional is acting in accordance with one of the following, as applicable to the professional’s authority to practice in this state:
(a) In consultation with a physician;
(b) Pursuant to the referral of a physician;
(c) In collaboration with a physician;
(d) Under the supervision of a physician.
(3) A physician or licensed health care professional who makes an assessment or grants a clearance for purposes of division (E)(1) of this section may be a volunteer.
(4) Beginning one year after the effective date of this amendment, all physicians and licensed health care professionals who conduct assessments and clearances under division (E)(1) of this section must meet the minimum education requirements established by rules adopted under section 3707.521 of the Revised Code by their respective licensing agencies.
(F)(1) A youth sports organization or official, employee, or volunteer of a youth sports organization, including a coach or referee, is not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property allegedly arising from providing services or performing duties under this section, unless the act or omission constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.
(2) This section does not eliminate, limit, or reduce any other immunity or defense that a public entity, public official, or public employee may be entitled to under Chapter 2744. or any other provision of the Revised Code or under the common law of this state.