Use Your Head When It Comes to Concussion Protocol
The Iowa Legislature passed a new law, effective July 1, 2011, regarding students in grades 7 – 12 who participate in extracurricular interscholastic activities. Please note this important information from Iowa Code Section 280.13C:
Brain Injury Policies:
- A child must be immediately removed from participation (practice or competition) if his/her coach or a contest official observes signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion or brain injury in an extracurricular interscholastic activity.
- A child may not participate again until a licensed health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussions and other brain injuries has evaluated him/her and the student has received written clearance from that person to return to participation.
- Key definitions: “Licensed health care provider” means a physician, physician assistant, chiropractor, advanced registered nurse practitioner, nurse, physical therapist, or athletic trainer licensed by a board. “Extracurricular interscholastic activity” means any extracurricular interscholastic activity, contest, or practice, including sports, dance, or cheerleading.
IMPORTANT: Students participating in interscholastic athletics, cheerleading and dance; and their parents/guardians; must sign the acknowledgement form and return it to their school. Students cannot practice or compete in those activities until this form is signed and returned.