2010 Idaho Code
TITLE 33 EDUCATION
CHAPTER 16 COURSES OF INSTRUCTION
33-1625 LEGISLATIVE INTENT -- YOUTH ATHLETES -- CONCUSSION GUIDELINES.

TITLE 33

EDUCATION

CHAPTER 16

COURSES OF INSTRUCTION

33-1620 [33-1625]. Legislative intent -- YOUTH athletes -- concussion guidelines. The legislature finds that concussions are one of the most commonly reported injuries in children and adolescents who participate in sports and recreational activities. The centers for disease control and prevention estimates that as many as three million eight hundred thousand (3,800,000) sports-related and recreation-related concussions occur in the United States each year. A concussion is caused by a blow or motion to the head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull. The risk of catastrophic injuries or death is significant when a concussion or head injury is not properly evaluated and managed.

Concussions are a type of brain injury that can range from mild to severe and can disrupt the way the brain normally works. Concussions can occur in any organized or unorganized sport or recreational activity and can result from a fall or from players colliding with each other, the ground, or with obstacles. Concussions occur with or without loss of consciousness, but the vast majority occur without loss of consciousness.

Continuing to play with a concussion or symptoms of head injury leaves the young athlete especially vulnerable to greater injury and even death. The legislature recognizes that, despite having generally recognized return to play standards for concussion and head injury, some affected youth athletes are prematurely returned to play resulting in actual or potential physical injury or death to youth athletes in the state of Idaho.

(1) The state board of education shall collaborate with the Idaho high school activities association to develop guidelines and other pertinent information and forms to inform and educate coaches, both paid and volunteer, youth athletes, and their parents and/or guardians of the nature and risk of concussion and head injury including risks associated with continuing to play after concussion or head injury.

(2) The guidelines, information and forms described in subsection (1) of this section shall be developed for and may be used by all organized youth sport organizations or associations that sponsor, promote or otherwise administer youth sport organizations or activities in this state. The state board of education shall make available on its internet website the guidelines, information and forms provided for in this section.