DR. MOIRA STILWELL

BILL M 206 — 2011

CONCUSSIONS IN YOUTH SPORT
SAFETY ACT

The most common brain injury is a concussion. Most concussions occur without loss of consciousness and often are overlooked, with potentially serious consequence. Young athletes are particularly susceptible to concussions; in fact, according to the Canadian Paediatric Society, the majority of sport-related head injuries occur in individuals younger than 20 years old. Young athletes, their parents and coaches need to be aware of the risks that a second concussion can have if a previous concussion has yet to heal, and not feel pressured to hide their injuries or return to play prematurely. An impact delivered to the head of an athlete who has not yet fully recovered from an initial concussion can be devastating.

This Bill recognizes the importance of three criteria in protecting young brains: removing a child or youth athlete from play if a concussion is suspected; ensuring the child or youth does not return to play until he or she has received medical clearance; and, providing education on sport-related concussions to athletes, coaches and parents.

HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia, enacts as follows:

1  In this Act:

"Health Care Professional" means a person licensed to provide health care under one of the following Acts:

(a) a person registered as a member of a college established or continued under the Health Professions Act, or

(b) a member of another organization that is designated by regulation of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

"high risk sport" means a sport in which participants may be subjected to concussion as designated by regulation.

"youth athlete" means a person under the age of 19 who participates in a high risk sport.

"youth sports organization" means an organization providing a high risk sport program participated in by youth athletes.

2  Youth sports organizations must develop and adopt guidelines and other pertinent information and forms to inform and educate coaches, youth athletes, and their parents and/or guardians of the nature and risk of concussion and head injury including continuing to play after concussion or head injury.

3  On a yearly basis, a concussion and head injury information sheet must be signed and returned by a youth athlete and the athlete's parent and/or guardian prior to the youth athlete's initiating practice or competition in a high risk sport.

4  A youth athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in a practice or game shall be removed from competition at that time.

5  A youth athlete who has been removed from play may not return to play until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed health care professional trained in the evaluation and management of concussion and receives clearance to return to play from that health care professional. The health care professional may be a volunteer. A volunteer who authorizes a youth athlete to return to play is not liable for civil damages resulting from any act or omission in the rendering of such care, other than acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.

6  This Act comes into force by regulation of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

 
Explanatory Note

The most common brain injury is a concussion. Most concussions occur without loss of consciousness and often are overlooked, with potentially serious consequence. Young athletes are particularly susceptible to concussions; in fact, according to the Canadian Paediatric Society, the majority of sport-related head injuries occur in individuals younger than 20 years old. Young athletes, their parents and coaches need to be aware of the risks that a second concussion can have if a previous concussion has yet to heal, and not feel pressured to hide their injuries or return to play prematurely. An impact delivered to the head of an athlete who has not yet fully recovered from an initial concussion can be devastating.

This Bill recognizes the importance of three criteria in protecting young brains: removing a child or youth athlete from play if a concussion is suspected; ensuring the child or youth does not return to play until he or she has received medical clearance; and, providing education on sport-related concussions to athletes, coaches and parents.