This legislation requires the Board of Education to work with a number of stakeholders in Virginia to develop and distribute guidelines for school divisions to inform parents, coaches, and student-athletes about the risks of concussions.
In addition, school divisions would be required to provide student-athletes with information on an annual basis regarding concussions and the student-athlete’s parent or guardian would be required to sign a statement acknowledging receipt of such information.
Moreover, any student-athlete suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in a practice or game would be removed from competition immediately following the incident. A student-athlete who has been removed from play, evaluated, and suspected to have a concussion or brain injury shall not return to play that same day nor until (i) evaluated by an appropriate licensed health care provider as determined by the Board of Education and (ii) in receipt of written clearance to return to play from such licensed health care provider.
The policies of the Board of Education shall become effective on July 1, 2011.
The bill received a unanimous vote from both the House and the Senate.
You can see the full legislative history here.