CONCUSSION PROTOCOL
CONCUSSIONS IN YOUTH ATHLETES - CALIFORNIA
The LAW
On October 26, 2016, the Governor of California signed California Assembly Bill 2007 into law. The law, titled “Youth Sports Concussion Protocols”, is effective January 1, 2017 and is found in the California Health Safety Code under the section referencing “Adolescent Health” (Cal Health and Safety Code §124235).
Who It Pertains To
The new law applies to “youth sports organizations” which includes any organization, business, non-profit entity or local government agency that sponsors or conducts amateur sports competitions, training camps, or clubs in which persons seventeen (17) years of age or younger participate (such as Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken Baseball, Little League Baseball and/or ASA/USA Softball).
How Does The Law Affect Me As A Coach or League?
Youth sports organizations are required to immediately remove an athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or other head injury in an athletic activity for the remainder of the day. The athlete shall not be permitted to return to the athletic activity until being evaluated by, and receiving written clearance to return to athletic activity from, a licensed health care provider.
How Does The Law Affect A Player?
An athlete who has sustained a concussion shall complete a graduated return to play protocol of not less than seven (7) days in duration under the supervision of a licensed health care provider. If an athlete seventeen (17) years of age or younger has been removed from athletic activity due to a suspected concussion, the youth sports organization shall notify a parent or a guardian of that athlete of the time and date of the injury, the symptoms observed and any treatment provided to that athlete for the injury.
How Do We Educate And Notify Players And Parents?
On an annual basis, a youth sports organization shall provide a concussion and head injury information sheet to each athlete. The information sheet shall be signed and returned by the athlete and, if the athlete is seventeen (17) years of age or younger, shall also be signed by the athlete’s parent or guardian before the athlete initiates practice or competition.
ALL players and parents are required to read, discuss, and sign an acknowledgement form and return a signature card/form to their coach.
Please distribute this form to all your players and families.
Player Concussion Acknowledgement Form
Parents and Athletes Information
Information for parents and athletes on concussion protocols, signs/symptoms, and prevention.
Parent Concussion Information Link
Athlete Concussion Information Link
What Training Is Required For Coaches and League Administrators?
On a yearly basis, the youth sports organization shall offer concussion and head injury education, or related educational materials or both, to each coach and administrator of the youth sports organization. Each coach and administrator shall be required to successfully complete the concussion and head injury education offered at least once, either online or in person, before supervising an athlete in an activity of the youth sports organization.
Uptown Long Beach Youth Baseball will be utilizing the free on-line CDC Heads-Up program for the
Concussion Protocol Training which can be found at:
CDC Heads Up Concussion Protocol On-Line Course Link
Simply Log In and take the FREE class and test at the end and print your certificate. It takes approximately 40 minutes to complete.
Manager and Coach Tools
Managers and Coaches are to carry a Concussion Identification and Protocol Card with their equipment bag.
Manager and Coach Concussion Identification and Protocol Card
Other helpful manager and coach material
Coach Help Kit
Mobile APP download for Concussion Protocol Info
Concussion Flyers & Posters
Concussion Poster #1
Concussion Poster #2
Remember, it is a law, not a suggestion that this class be completed on an annual basis.
For more information please contact the Uptown Long Beach Youth Baseball
Safety Officer
[email protected]