Student-Athlete Protection Act Senate Bill 652

1. Student-Athlete Protection Act Senate Bill 652 Vanessa Wigand, Principal Specialist for Health and Physical Education, Driver Education and Athletics 1

2. Goals of Senate Bill 652 • Directed the Board of Education (BOE) to develop guidelines for policies dealing with concussions in student-athletes • Requires local school boards to develop policies and procedures regarding identification and handling of suspected concussions in student-athletes 2

3. Goals of Senate Bill 652 (continued) Requires the BOE to define appropriate health care providers authorized to evaluate and provide written clearance for return to play to ensure that student-athletes who sustain concussions are properly diagnosed, given adequate time to heal, and comprehensively supported 3

4. A Collaborative Process As specified in the bill, the VDOE assembled the “dream team’ in neuroscience, and worked with: • The Virginia High School League, the Virginia Department of Health, the Virginia Athletic Trainers Association, Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, Children’s National Medical Center, the Brain Injury Association of Virginia, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Virginia College of Emergency Physicians, and other interested stakeholders 4

5. As a Result of Public Comment… Language (that was not required by the legislation) was added to address the academic needs and gradual reintroduction of cognitive demands for students who have sustained concussions 5

6. BOE’s Definition of Appropriate Licensed Health Care Provider Physician, Physician Assistant, Osteopath or Athletic Trainer Licensed by the Board of Medicine Neuropsychologist licensed by the Board or Psychology, or Nurse Practitioner licensed by the Board of Nursing 6

7. The Legislation Requires that the BOE Guidelines Require Student-athletes and parents review information about short- and long-term effects of concussions They must sign a statement acknowledging receipt, review and understanding of such information Local school divisions are responsible for designing the content, process and ensuring accountability 7

8. BOE Guidelines Require “If in Doubt, Sit Them Out” Student-athlete suspected of sustaining a concussion shall be removed from activity The student-athlete shall not return to play until: Evaluated, Treated, and Receives written clearance to return to play from a licensed health care provider 8

9. BOE Guidelines Require a Sideline Assessment Appropriate licensed health care providers or properly trained individuals will use a standardized concussion sideline assessment tool (SCAT II, SAC, BESS, etc.) 9

10. BOE Guidelines Require School Divisions to have Concussion Policy Teams At a minimum, the team must include a: school administrator, athletic administrator, appropriate health care provider, coach, parent, and student They must review local concussion management policies on an annual basis 10

11. BOE Guidelines Require Protocols for Return to Play • Immediately remove student athlete when injured • No participation until asymptomatic during or following periods of supervised exercise that is gradually intensified • Must receive written medical release from an approved licensed health care provider 11

12. BOE Guidelines Require Annual Training for Personnel School divisions must develop policies for staff, coaches, athletic trainers, team physicians, and volunteers to receive current training on: • strategies to reduce concussions • how to recognize and treat concussions • when student can safely return to play 12

13. BOE Guidelines Require a Tracking System School divisions must maintain a tracking system to document compliance with the annual training requirement 13