Fifty (50) states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws which address concussions and protect the health and safety of young athletes. Little League Baseball, Incorporated (LLB) has complied a summary of all currently existing state laws regarding concussions in youth athletes.
Some laws are only applicable to school-sponsored athletics or to activities taking place on school-owned property. Some laws are applicable to all youth sports organizations, whether affiliated or not with a school district. It is strongly recommended that local leagues consult with legal counsel in its jurisdiction to determine the applicability, if any, of state laws to its program regarding concussions.
In keeping with its focus on protecting the health, safety and welfare of children, LLB requires all leagues and teams to comply with all applicable laws and recommends the review of the information and training materials on concussions which are available free of charge on the Centers for Disease Control website for more information Click Here
Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania law is found at 24 P.S. Section 5321 through 24 P.S. Section 5323 of the Pennsylvania Statutes and Consolidated Statutes of the education title. (24 P.S. §§ 5321- 5323) and is entitled the Safety in Youth Sports Act.
Pennsylvania law requires that the Department of Health and the Department of Education develop guidelines and materials on concussions. The statute defines athletic activity to include interscholastic athletics, an athletic contest or competition sponsored by or associated with a school entity, school sponsored or associated noncompetitive cheerleading and practices, and scrimmages for all the aforementioned activities. Each year, a student participating in an athletic activity must have a parent/guardian sign acknowledgement of receipt of concussion information before the student may participate in the activity. The law requires any student suspected of sustaining a concussion must be removed from participation at that time and is not allowed to resume participation until evaluated by a medical professional and given written clearance. The law also requires that coaches receive concussion training once each school year.
The sponsors of youth athletic activities not addressed by this act are encouraged to follow the guidance set forth in the act.