On October 4, 2011, California Governor Jerry Brown signed the state's youth sports concussion safety law (AB 25), adding the state to growing list that have enacted a strong concussion safety law since May 2009.*
Key provisions
- Broad coverage: The law covers all athletes participating in school-sponsored athletics and organizations that use public school facilities for youth sports.
- Education: In order to participate in athletics, students and a parent or guardian must sign and return to the student's school each year a form acknowledging receipt and review of a concussion and traumatic brain injury information sheet.
- Immediate removal from play in case of suspected concussion: Athletes suspected of having sustained a concussion must be immediately removed from play for the remainder of the day.
- No return to play without written medical clearance: Athletes who have been removed may not return to play until evaluated and received written clearance from a licensed health care provider trained in the management of concussion acting within the scope of his or her practice.
- No change in immunity: Existing law on civil liability on the part of any school or employee is left unchanged.
* The number has since grown to 31, as of February 17, 2012.
Posted October 5, 2011; revised February 17, 2012
