Concussion Legislation Proposed in Iowa

[ref2coach]

Originally Posted by 26 Year Gap

What I hope any legislation does NOT do, is lead to hesitation to send someone off because he might be a star and it would mean no re-entry. Could be headed that way.

Unfortunately it has in TN. TSSAA in it's instructions at the State rules meetings and information passed through the State supervisors has "recommended" that referees not utter the word "concussion" or any variant thereof. I will not be complying if I see a player who exhibits "signs or symptoms" as described in the NFHS online training referenced above.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by ref2coach

Unfortunately it has in TN. TSSAA in it's instructions at the State rules meetings and information passed through the State supervisors has "recommended" that referees not utter the word "concussion" or any variant thereof. I will not be complying if I see a player who exhibits "signs or symptoms" as described in the NFHS online training referenced above.

sounds like the state is ripe for a lawsuit here.

The Iowa law, as explained in the article, seems to be a codification of the NFHS policy. I personally find that to be a silly use of legislative time, but unless there's something in there that's not being reported here, I don't see anything that makes it more likely for an official to get sued.

And it seems to me pretty obvious that my NASO atty could get the case thrown out on the grounds that I'm not a doctor and thus not trained to recognize concussion symptoms.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

And it seems to me pretty obvious that my NASO atty could get the case thrown out on the grounds that I'm not a doctor and thus not trained to recognize concussion symptoms.

I'm fairly confident that your attorney would NOT bring that up, given the wide availability of training in such recognition, including most obviously the NFHS online training. A plaintiff's attorney would feast on an admission that you were officiating without proper training.

The crucial distinction here, it seems to me, is "recognizing symptoms" vs. "diagnosing." We are now expected to do the former.

[26 Year Gap]

I recommend that all officials take the course. I also recommend that all legislators take the course. Saying the words "Exhibiting the signs of a possible concussion" is a protection for the official. And beckoning on the coach in those instances will ensure that the player will be replaced.

I had one near the end of the season. I blew the whistle because the kid was shaking his head after having gone to the floor and possibly hitting his head. The play was at the other end with no attempt to go for the basket by the other team. The kid returned later that quarter, but in FL, that is on the coach. We are to assume clearance has been given. Watching the video, it seems prudent that anyone leaving should not play anymore that game. I saw the video after the incident.

[BayStateRef]

Massachusetts passed a "concussion law" last year. All the responsibility is with schools and parents; officials are not mentioned at all.

The state law...and corresponding direction from the MIAA, however...calls for stronger action than the NFHS rules. If a player is sent out of a game (or practice) with symptoms of a concussion, he may not return that day at all...and may not return without written permission from a health-care professional to the school athletic director.

Details here: Concussion Update Issues

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by 26 Year Gap

Saying the words "Exhibiting the signs of a possible concussion" is a protection for the official. And beckoning on the coach in those instances will ensure that the player will be replaced.

As I have already stated, we have been advised not to use the "C Word" here. Instead we have been advised to just tell the coach what symptoms we have observed. i.e., beckon the coach and say, "Hey coach, this kid hit his head and seems a little shaky on his feet". After that we just treat it as any other injury.

[26 Year Gap]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

As I have already stated, we have been advised not to use the "C Word" here. Instead we have been advised to just tell the coach what symptoms we have observed. i.e., beckon the coach and say, "Hey coach, this kid hit his head and seems a little shaky on his feet". After that we just treat it as any other injury.

I haven't been nutmegged, so I am fine with my language.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by 26 Year Gap

I haven't been nutmegged, so I am fine with my language.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

As I have already stated, we have been advised not to use the "C Word" here. Instead we have been advised to just tell the coach what symptoms we have observed. i.e., beckon the coach and say, "Hey coach, this kid hit his head and seems a little shaky on his feet". After that we just treat it as any other injury.

Coach: "So what does the rule book say about "shaky on his feet? You can't send him to the bench for that."

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Coach: "So what does the rule book say about 'shaky on his feet'? You can't send him to the bench for that."

Exactly. And diction is no defense against legal liability: I can be sued for failing to enforce the policy just as easily as enforcing it using the word 'concussion'.

[SNIPERBBB]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

sounds like the state is ripe for a lawsuit here.

I personally find that to be a silly use of legislative time, but unless there's something in there that's not being reported here, I don't see anything that makes it more likely for an official to get sued.

It should be noted that that 99.99% of all legislative time used is silly.

[26 Year Gap]

Originally Posted by SNIPERBBB

It should be noted that that 99.99% of all legislative time used is silly.

And the rest is squandered.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by ref2coach

TSSAA in it's instructions at the State rules meetings and information passed through the State supervisors has "recommended" that referees not utter the word "concussion" or any variant thereof.

We got the same advice here in the Land of Steady Habits from our interpreter.