In the first legislative session of 2011, the state of Utah followed in the footsteps of the state of Washington – which in May of 2009 signed into law HB 1824 – Zackery Lystedt Law – by passing House Bill 204: Protection of Athletes with Head Injuries. In March of 2011 Governor Herbert signed the bill into law.
Within five days of the law taking effect Lehi Youth Football started the process of becoming fully compliant with this new law. This page is the first step in that compliance. We as a board of directors for Lehi Youth Football fully support any and all measures that will help protect our athletes from the very real and very dangerous affects of concussions.
The following items are those sections of HB 204 that relate to Lehi Youth Football its parents, coaches, players & volunteers.
Highlighted Provisions:
- This bill:
- defines terms;
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requires an amateur sports organization to:
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adopt and enforce a concussion and head injury policy; and
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inform a parent or guardian of the policy and obtain the parent’s or guardian’s signature on the policy before permitting a child to participate in a sporting event;
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describes the requirements of a concussion and head injury policy;
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requires removal of a child from a sporting event when the child is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury; and
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prohibits a child described in the preceding paragraph from participating in a sporting event of the amateur sports organization until the child receives medical clearance from a health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of a concussion.
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Definitions:
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(1) “Agent” means a coach, teacher, employee, representative, or volunteer
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(2) “Amateur sports organization” means, except as provided in Subsection (2)(b):
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(i) a sports team;
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(iii) a public or private sports league;
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(3) “Child” means an individual who is under the age of 18.
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(5) “Sporting event” means any of the following athletic activities that is organized, operated, managed, or sponsored by any organization:
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(a) a game;
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(b) a practice;
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(c) a sports camp;
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(f) a tryout.
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(6) “Traumatic head injury” means an injury to the head arising from blunt trauma, an acceleration force, or a deceleration force, with one of the following observed or self-reported conditions attributable to the injury:
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(a) transient confusion, disorientation, or impaired consciousness;
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(b) dysfunction of memory;
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(c) loss of consciousness; or
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(d) signs of other neurological or neuropsychological dysfunction, including:
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(i) seizures;
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(ii) irritability;
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(iii) lethargy;
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(iv) vomiting;
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(v) headache;
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(vi) dizziness; or
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(vii) fatigue.
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Part 2. Concussion and Head Injury Policy
26-53-201. Adoption and enforcement of concussion and head injury policy — Notice of policy to parent or guardian.
Each amateur sports organization shall:
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(1) adopt and enforce a concussion and head injury policy that:
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(a) is consistent with the requirements of Section 26-53-301; and
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(b) describes the nature and risk of:
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(i) a concussion or head injury; and
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(ii) continuing to participate in a sporting event after sustaining a concussion or head injury;
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(2) ensure that each agent of the amateur sports organization is familiar with, and has a copy of, the concussion and head injury policy; and
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(3) before permitting a child to participate in a sporting event of the amateur sports organization:
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(a) provide a written copy of the concussion and head injury policy to a parent or legal guardian of a child; and
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(b) obtain the signature of a parent or guardian of the child, acknowledging that the parent or legal guardian has read, understands, and agrees to abide by, the concussion and head injury policy.
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Part 3. Medical Clearance
26-53-301. Removal of child suspected of sustaining concussion or head injury — Medical clearance required before return to participation
- An amateur sports organization, and each agent of the amateur sports organization, shall: (1) immediately remove a child from participating in a sporting event of the amateur sports organization if the child is suspected of sustaining a concussion or a traumatic head injury; and
- (a) prohibit the child described in Subsection (1)(a) from participating in a sporting event of the amateur sports organization until the child:
- (i) is evaluated by a licensed health care provider who is trained in the evaluation and management of a concussion; and
- (ii) provides the amateur sports organization with a written statement from the qualified health care provider described in Subsection (1)(b)(i) stating that:
- (A) the qualified health care provider has, within three years before the day on which the written statement is made, successfully completed a continuing education course in the evaluation and management of a concussion; and
- (B) the child is cleared to resume participation in the sporting event of the amateur sports organization.
- (a) prohibit the child described in Subsection (1)(a) from participating in a sporting event of the amateur sports organization until the child:
DRAFT – 2011
Lehi Youth Football
Concussion & Head Injury Policy
In compliance with Utah House Bill 204: “Protection of Athletes with Head Injuries” we the Board of Directors for the Lehi District of the Utah County Football Conference (UCFC) – An Amateur Sports Organization – along with its Agents do formally announce the publication of the Lehi Youth Football Concussion & Head Injury Policy this 20th day of July, 2011.
Part 1 – Definitions
Definitions:
(1) “Agent” means a coach, teacher, representative, or volunteer
(2) “Amateur sports organization” means,
(a) a sports team;
(b) a public or private sports league;
(3) “Child” means an individual who is under the age of 18.
(4) “Qualified Health Care Provider” means a health care provider who:
(a) is licensed under Title 58, Occupations and Professions; and
(b) may evaluate and manage a concussion within the health care provider’s scope of practice.
(5) “Sporting event” means any of the following athletic activities that is organized, operated, managed, or sponsored by Lehi Youth Football:
(a) a game;
(b) a practice;
(c) a sports camp;
(f) a tryout.
(6) A Concussion or “Traumatic Head Injury” means an injury to the head arising from blunt trauma, an acceleration force, or a deceleration force, with one of the following observed or self-reported conditions attributable to the injury:
(a) transient confusion, disorientation, or impaired consciousness;
(b) dysfunction of memory;
(c) loss of consciousness; or
(d) signs of other neurological or neuropsychological dysfunction, including:
(i) seizures;
(ii) irritability;
(iii) lethargy;
(iv) vomiting;
(v) headache;
(vi) dizziness; or
(vii) fatigue.
Part 2 – Requirements of Lehi Youth Football – Agents
Lehi Youth Football (LYF) requires that any child who is suspected of having received a Concussion or Traumatic Head Injury, by any Agent of LYF the UCFC or the child’s parent or guardian while participating in a Sporting Event associated with LYF or the Utah County Football Conference (UCFC) be immediately removed from said Sporting Event.
Furthermore, the child will not be allowed to participate in any LYF Sporting Event until the injured child has met the following requirements:
(1) Receive treatment by a Qualified Health Care Provider who is trained in the evaluation and management of a concussion; and
(2) Provide Lehi Youth Football with a written statement from the aforementioned Qualified Health Care Provider stating that:
(a) the qualified health care provider has, within three years before the day on which the written statement is made, successfully completed a continuing education course in the evaluation and management of a concussion; and
(b) the child is cleared to resume participation in all LYF Sporting Events.
Note: LYF Agents are not required to remove a child from a Sporting Event based upon the opinions or observations of coaches or parents associated with opposing teams of the UCFC.