2012 Vermont Statutes
Title 16 Education
Chapter 31 HEALTH
§ 1431 Concussions and other head injuries

§ 1431. Concussions and other head injuries

(a) Definitions. For purposes of this subchapter:

(1) "School athletic team" means an interscholastic athletic team or club sponsored by a public or approved independent school for elementary or secondary students.

(2) "Coach" means a person who instructs or trains students on a school athletic team.

(3) "Youth athlete" means an elementary or secondary student who is a member of a school athletic team.

(b) Guidelines and other information. The commissioner of education or designee, assisted by members of the Vermont Principals' Association selected by that association, shall develop statewide guidelines, forms, and other materials, and update them when necessary, that are designed to educate coaches, youth athletes, and the parents and guardians of youth athletes regarding:

(1) the nature and risks of concussions and other head injuries;

(2) the risks of premature participation in athletic activities after receiving a concussion or other head injury; and

(3) the importance of obtaining a medical evaluation of a suspected concussion or other head injury and receiving treatment when necessary.

(c) Notice and training. The principal or headmaster of each public and approved independent school in the state, or a designee, shall ensure that:

(1) the information developed pursuant to subsection (b) of this section is provided annually to each youth athlete and the athlete's parents or guardians;

(2) each youth athlete and a parent or guardian of the athlete annually sign a form acknowledging receipt of the information provided pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection and return it to the school prior to the athlete's participation in training or competition associated with a school athletic team;

(3)(A) each coach of a school athletic team receive training no less frequently than every two years on how to recognize the symptoms of a concussion or other head injury; and

(B) each coach who is new to coaching at the school receive training prior to beginning his or her first coaching assignment for the school.

(d) Participation in athletic activity.

(1) A coach shall not permit a youth athlete to continue to participate in any training session or competition associated with a school athletic team if the coach has reason to believe that the athlete has sustained a concussion or other head injury during the training session or competition.

(2) A coach shall not permit a youth athlete who has been prohibited from training or competing pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection to train or compete with a school athletic team until the athlete has been examined by and received written permission to participate in athletic activities from a health care provider licensed pursuant to Title 26 and trained in the evaluation and management of concussions and other head injuries. (Added 2011, No. 58, § 40, eff. May 31, 2011; amended 2011, No. 171 (Adj. Sess.), § 39a.)