Idaho Legislation
The U.S. national government has left it up to the states to decide what concussion guidelines and policies are necessary. Idaho is one of many who have decided to establish extensive concussion legislation, previously neglected. Bill 632 was passed by Idaho’s legislature in 2012 (“Idaho house,” 2012). This bill mandated several measures to protect junior and senior high school athletes, ages eighteen and under, and their schools from concussions and the liabilities caused by such an injury. The first step of this legislation is to provide the information necessary to educate coaches, athletes, parents, and others. This is one step the national government took; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has organized available information and made it easily accessible to all. At the beginning of every season it is required that this information be given to the parents of participating athletes and that coaches review this information. During practice or a game, if an athlete exhibits the signs of a concussion they must be removed from play and the school protocol, in line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, followed (“Idaho House,” 2012). In order to return-to-play a concussed athlete must obtain written clearance by a “health care professional” (Idaho House, 2012, ¶8). Even with clearance, it is important to take the return process slowly. If symptoms reoccur after physical or mental exertion, then the athlete is not ready. It has also been recommended to receive a signature from parents acknowledging their recognition of the concussion risk before the season begins (“Idaho’s concussion”, n.d.).
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