Laws and Rules

Concussion Safety Laws in Place In Every State

Forty-nine states have enacted a so-called Zackery Lystedt concussion safety law since May 2009.  Wyoming has enacted a weak concussion safety law, and the high school athletic association in Arkansas has rules that mirror the concussion laws of other states..

Return-to-Play Laws: A Game-Changer for Youth Contact Sports

While gaps persist, concussion safety laws enacted in all 50 states have had a positive effect, including a large increase in the number of 12-18 year olds seeking medical treatment for head injuries. But more works needs to be done, says a public health expert.

Illinois Concussion Class Action Lawsuit: More Questions Than Answers

A longtime high school sports administrator argues that the Illinois high school concussion class action lawsuit raises many questions that shouldn't be decided by the first lawyer to get to the courthouse but only after careful consideration by state legislatures and high school sports administrators of all the issues arising from concussions and other aspects of athlete safety.

Using the "Power of the Permit" To Promote Concussion Safety in Youth Sports

The power of the permit is the acknowledged legal authority of local governments to set reasonable terms and conditions under which private applicants may use public property, including public athletic facilities. That power, argues University of Missouri Law Professor, Doug Abrams, should be used by local government agencies to enhance reasonable concussion protection for children who play organized sports within their boundaries.

NFHS Recommendation To Limit Full-Contact Practices In High School Football Gains Traction

Recommendations by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) designed to minimize the risk of concussions and head impact exposure in high school football, especially limits on full-contact practices, have been implemented by an increasing number of state associations.

California Sports Administrator Puzzled By Governor Brown's Veto of AB 1890

The veto by California governor Jerry Brown of AB 1890, a bill that would have made it illegal for anyone to call themselves an "athletic trainer" without actually being one has a top interscholastic sports administrator in the Golden State asking why.

California's Updated Youth Sports Concussion Safety Law: Steps In The Right Direction, Says Longtime Sports Official

The 7-day return-to-play waiting period and the limits on full-contact practices imposed by AB 2127, California's updated youth sports concussion safety law are steps in the right direction says an official who will be charged with its implementation, but, like any legislation, is not perfect.

Work To Strengthen Oklahoma's Youth Sports Concussion Law Will Continue Despite Setback, Says Activist

A former college soccer player with a history of multiple undiagnosed concussions talks about her attempt to strengthen her state's youth concussion safety law.

Improving Concussion Safety in High School Football: Promising Developments, But A Long Way To Go

It has been a good two weeks for parents looking to make high school football safer, with a number of promising developments. But it is not time to declare victory, and many questions remain to be answered.

The last two full weeks of April 2013 have been a good one for parents looking to make high school football safer, but it is not time to declare victory, and many questions remain to be answered,

Limiting Full-Contact Practices in High School Football: The Time to Act is Now!

For those of you who may be wondering why you haven't seen a blog from me in recent weeks, there is a simple answer: I have been head down (pardon the pun) finishing up MomsTEAM's high school football concussion documentary, The Smartest Team.

Newcastle, Oklahoma football player about to be tackledTwo news items on the subject of brain trauma in high school football, however, hit my desk over the past week which deserve comment.

Despite a growing body of evidence which suggests that brain trauma to football players can result, not just from violent helmet-on-helmet collisions hard enough to lead to concussions but from the cumulative effect of less forceful, but repetitive, subconcussive blows, no steps have been taken to limit such trauma at the high school level. That may be about to change.
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