Concussion Legislation Proposed in Iowa

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by DesMoines

The bill provides that if a student athlete’s coach or contest official observes signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion or brain injury in an interscholastic athletic practice or game, the student athlete must be removed from participation.

The bill provides that a student athlete removed from participation shall not recommence participation until the student athlete has been evaluated by a licensed health care provider, defined as a physician, physician assistant, chiropractor, advanced registered nurse practitioner, nurse, or athletic trainer licensed by a board designated under Code section 147.13, trained in the evaluation and management of concussions and other head injuries and received written clearance to return to play.

As I read this, it's exactly the NFHS policy. Officials must remove players who exhibit symptoms consistent with concussion, and the player may not return until cleared in writing by a suitable health care professional. I don't see any additional liability imposed on officials beyond what's already in NFHS rules.

The clearance clause fails to specify who is to receive the written clearance. That's an oversight.