The Council of the District of Columbia is currently considering a bill entitled the “Athletic Concussion Protection Act of 2011“. This bill will protect individuals aged 18 or younger or any physically or mentally disabled individual, irrespective of age, in the event that they show signs or symptoms of a concussion while engaged in an interscholastic athletic activity or an athletic activity conducted at a public school or recreational athletic organization. Any athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury will be removed from the athletic activity and will not be permitted to return until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed healthcare provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussion. That healthcare provider must provide written clearance to the athlete to be able to return to physical participation in that activity. Additionally, training will be provided to coaches, school personnel, athletes, and parents or guardians regarding the nature and risk of a concussion, the criteria for removal and for return to physical participation from an athletic event, as well as, the risks of not reporting an injury and continuing to play with an injury with the symptoms of a concussion. Before an athlete will be permitted to participate in an athletic activity every parent, on an annual basis thereafter will be provided an information sheet. The athlete and the parent or guardian of the athlete must sign a statement acknowledging receipt of the information sheet and return it before an athlete is permitted to participate. The law firm of Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel is strongly in favor of the Athletic Concussion Protection Act of 2011.
