Physical Therapists Youth Athletes Head Trauma

Health care - required head trauma guidelines for organized school athletic activities - physical therapists may authorize youth athletes' return to play. Current law states that if a youth athlete is removed from play because a coach suspects the youth athlete has sustained a concussion in a game, competition, or practice, the coach or other designated personnel shall not permit the youth athlete to return to play or participate in any supervised team activities involving physical exertion until the youth athlete is evaluated by a health care provider and receives written clearance to return to play from the health care provider. The act adds licensed physical therapists with training in pediatric neurology or concussion evaluation and management to the definition of "health care provider" for this purpose.
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)