Mandatory Concussion Awareness Training Is Law

The legislature has passed into law a pair of bills (SB 1122 and HB 5697) that require coaches, employees, volunteers, and other adults involved with youth athletics, including school sports, to participate in Department of Community Health (DCH) developed concussion awareness training.

As a part of this legislation, organizing entities, which include schools, would be required to distribute DCH developed concussion awareness materials to participating youth athletes. They would also be required to obtain and keep on file a statement from each youth athlete, signed by a parent or guardian, acknowledging receipt of the materials. The legislation provides an exemption for MHSAA athletics and for activities that contain athletic components but are not designed primarily as athletic games or competitions.

DCH is required to develop and provide for free on their website both the training and all materials that schools will have to distribute. The DCH is required to produce these items within 90 days of the legislation being signed into law.