Chapter 661 Oregon Laws 2009

AN ACT

SB 348

Relating to safety of school sports; and declaring an emergency.

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

SECTION 1. (1) As used in this section, “coach” means a person who instructs or trains members on a school athletic team, as identified by criteria established by the State Board of Education by rule.

          (2)(a) Each school district shall ensure that coaches receive annual training to learn how to recognize the symptoms of a concussion and how to seek proper medical treatment for a person suspected of having a concussion.

          (b) The board shall establish by rule:

          (A) The requirements of the training described in paragraph (a) of this subsection, which shall be provided by using community resources to the extent practicable; and

          (B) Timelines to ensure that, to the extent practicable, every coach receives the training described in paragraph (a) of this subsection before the beginning of the season for the school athletic team.

          (3)(a) A coach may not allow a member of a school athletic team to participate in any athletic event or training on the same day that the member:

          (A) Exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion following an observed or suspected blow to the head or body; or

          (B) Has been diagnosed with a concussion.

          (b) A coach may allow a member of a school athletic team who is prohibited from participating in an athletic event or training, as described in paragraph (a) of this subsection, to participate in an athletic event or training no sooner than the day after the member experienced a blow to the head or body and only after the member:

          (A) No longer exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion; and

          (B) Receives a medical release form from a health care professional.

SECTION 2. Section 1 of this 2009 Act first applies to the 2010-2011 school year.

SECTION 3. This 2009 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 2009 Act takes effect July 1, 2009.

Approved by the Governor June 18, 2009

Filed in the office of Secretary of State June 18, 2009

Effective date July 1, 2009

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