Announcements

• Prohibits a school from allowing a student to practice for or compete in interscholastic athletics until the student has submitted a signed form stating that the student's parent, guardian or other person having care or charge of the student has received a concussion and head injury information sheet created by the Department of Health.
• Requires a coach or referee to remove a student athlete exhibiting signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with having sustained a concussion or head injury from practice or competition.
• Prohibits an athlete to return to play on the same day as he/she is removed.
• Prohibits a coach or referee from allowing a student to return to practice or competition from which the student was removed, or to participate in any other practice or competition for which the coach or referee is responsible, until the student has been assessed and cleared for return by a physician or by any other licensed health care provider authorized by the school.
• Institutes new training requirements for coaches and referees of interscholastic athletics.

As of April 26th, 2013, Ohio's return-to-play law (ORC 3707.511) requires the following for youth sports organizations:

• Requires a youth sports organization to provide to the parent or other guardian of an individual who wishes to practice for or compete in an athletic activity organized by the organization, a concussion and head injury information sheet created by the Department of Health.
• Prohibits an individual from acting as a coach or referee for a youth sports organization without successfully completing a free online training program every three years in recognizing the symptoms of concussions posted to the Ohio Department of Health’s web site or holding a pupil-activity program permit from the State Board of Education.
• The youth sports organization for which the individual intends to act as a coach or referee shall inform the individual of the training requirements.
• Requires a coach, referee, or official of a youth sports organization to remove an athlete exhibiting signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with having sustained a concussion or head injury from practice or competition.
• Prohibits a coach, referee or official of a youth sports organization from allowing an athlete to return to play on the same day as he/she is removed.
• Prohibits a coach, referee, or official of a youth sports organization from allowing an individual to return to the practice or competition from which the individual was removed or to participate in any other practice or competition for which the coach, referee, or official is responsible until the individual has been assessed and cleared for return by a physician or by any other licensed health care provider authorized by the youth sports organization.

This link provides Ohio Department of Health resources to address the Ohio Return-to-Play law that goes into effect April 26, 2013. Please visit this site for information sheets, links to online concussion management trainings, and frequently asked questions for coaches, referees, and parents.

This CDC website provides factsheets for parents, school nurses, coaches, and school staff about head injuries and concussions.