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Concussion in Youth Sports: Ohio's Return-to-Play Law

**Ohio’s Return-to-Play Law goes into effect on April 26th, 2013**

Ohio's Youth Concussion Law


Quick Links

Ohio Department of Health Concussion Information Sheet

Online Concussion Management Training

Ohio’s Return to Play Law: Frequently Asked Questions

Ohio’s Return to Play Law: What Coaches and Referees Need to Know

Ohio’s Return to Play Law: What Parent/Guardians Need to Know

Additional Concussion Resources

Concussion Information Sheet          

Per ORC 3707.52 as enacted by Ohio HB 143 of the 129th General Assembly, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is required to create a concussion and head injury information sheet for participants in interscholastic activities and youth sports.  

Information Sheets:

Student Athlete Concussion Information Sheet (for Interscholastic Activities) - Starting April 26th, 2013, Ohio law (ORC 3313.539 and ORC 3314.03) prohibits schools from allowing a student to practice for or compete in interscholastic athletics (school sports) until the student has submitted this signed form stating that the student and the student's parent or guardian have received the information contained in the sheet.

Student Athlete Concussion Information Sheet (for Interscholastic Activities) - Spanish Version

 

Youth Sports Concussion Information Sheet (for Youth Sports Organizations) - Starting April 26th, 2013, Ohio law (ORC 3707.511) requires a youth sports organization to provide this sheet to the parent or other guardian of an individual who wishes to practice for or compete in an athletic activity organized by the organization.

Youth Sports Concussion Information Sheet (for Youth Sports Organizations) -  Spanish Version

 

Online Concussion Management Training            

Per ORC 3707.52 as enacted by Ohio HB 143 of the 129th General Assembly, ODH is required to post free training programs that train coaches and referees in recognizing the signs and symptoms of concussions and head injuries.

The following free online trainings have been approved by the Ohio Department of Health for coaches and referees:

National Federation of State High School Associations Concussion in Sports - What you Need to Know: http://www.nfhslearn.com/electiveDetail.aspx?courseID=38000  
(This free on-line course is available through the NFHS. You will need to click the “order here” button and complete a brief registration form to take the course.) Follow these steps to complete the course:

  1. Click on the button that says, please login to order.  In the window that appears, click Register Now.
  2. When your registration is complete you may "order" the free concussion course offered along the left hand side of the page.  Continue following prompts.  Although it may look like you'll be charged for the course, there is no cost.
  3. Once you've completed "checkout," you'll be able to take the free online course.
  4. When you've completed and passed the course, you have the option of printing a certificate of completion.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Heads Up Concussion in Youth Sports On-Line Training Program: http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/online_training.html  

PLEASE NOTE: Both courses offer a “certificate of completion” upon successful passage.  The NFHS course allows organizations to search for and track coaches who have completed the course while the CDC course does not.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Ohio's Return to Play Law: Frequently Asked Questions (Updated 4.9.13) - frequently asked questions document provides detailed information regarding Ohio's Return to Play Law. 


More Information For Coaches, Referees and Parents

Coaches and Referees

Ohio’s Return to Play Law: What Coaches and Referees Need to Know - Youth Sports

Ohio’s Return to Play Law: What Coaches and Referees Need to Know - School Sports

 

Parents and Guardians (please note: These are intended to provide more information about the requirements of the law and are different from the ODH Concussion Information Sheets that are required to be distributed to parents, guardians and athletes by schools and youth sports organizations.)

Ohio’s Return to Play Law: What Parent/Guardians Need to Know - Youth Sports

Ohio's Return to Play Law: What Parent/Guardians Need to Know - School Sports

 

Additional Concussion Resources             

Ohio Department of Health, Violence and Injury Prevention Program - Sports/Recreation Traumatic Brain Injuries

CDC Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports (English Version) (Spanish Version)

CDC Concussion Treatment and Management Materials for Health Care Providers

CDC Materials on Returning to School for Parents, School Nurses and Educators

Ohio Legislative Service Commission HB 143 Bill Analysis

Nationwide Children's Hospital - Concussion Information Toolkits - For Athletes  |  For Coaches  | For Parents | For Educators | For School Administrators 

Center for Concussion Rocky Mountain Youth Sports Medicine Institute - REAP Concussion Management Program

Ohio Injury Prevention Partnership - Sports Injury Prevention Grant Resource Guide

PLEASE NOTE: The State of Ohio is not responsible for the content of external websites. A link to a non-governmental website does not constitute endorsement.


Contact Information

Ohio Department of Health
Injury Prevention Program
246 North High Street, 8th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Telephone: 614-466-2144
Fax: 614-564-2409

Email: HealthyO@odh.ohio.gov

 

Last Reviewed 5/1/13