“Qualified healthcare professional” refers to the following who is trained in the evaluation and management of concussions:
1. A licensed physician or physician assistant;
2. A licensed advanced practice nurse; or
3. A licensed health care professional trained in the evaluation and management of concussions who is supervised by a licensed directing physician.
“Youth Athlete” means an individual who is eighteen (18) years of age or younger and who is a participant in any middle school, junior high school or high school athletic league or sport.
Concussion and Head Injury Guidelines and Requirements:
1. At the beginning of each sports season before a youth athlete participates in any organized practice or game of an athletic league or sport, the youth athlete and the youth athlete’s parent or guardian shall receive the protocol and information described in Policy No. 569.50P1.
2. New coaches, referees, game officials, game judges and athletic trainers shall complete the NFHS Concussion Course upon hiring and before officiating a regular season contest, and each even numbered year thereafter prior to the first day of practice.
3. If, during a practice or game or competition, it is reasonably suspected that a youth athlete has sustained a concussion or head injury and exhibits outward signs or symptoms of such, as defined by the centers for disease control and prevention, then the youth athlete shall be removed from play.
4. An athlete may be returned to play once the athlete is evaluated and authorized to return by a qualified health care professional who is trained in the evaluation and management of concussions pursuant to Policy No. 569.50P1.
5. If an individual reasonably acts in accordance with the protocol developed pursuant to subsection (2) of this policy, then acting upon such protocol shall not form the basis of a claim for negligence in a civil action.
6. Any youth sport organization or association in this state may comply with this section. If a youth sport organization or association is in full compliance with this section, then the youth sport organization or association shall be afforded the same protections from liability in a civil action pursuant to subsection (4) of this section
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LEGAL REFERENCE:
Idaho Code § 33-1625 (Youth Athletes – Concussion and Head Injury Guidelines and
Requirements)
IHSAA Guidelines
CDC Concussion: http://www.cdc.gov/headsup/index.html
CDC Concussion Signs and Symptoms Checklist:
http://www.cdc.gov/headsup/pdfs/schools/tbi_schools_checklist_508-a.pdf
ADOPTED: January 20, 2016
AMENDED: