Student Concussion Rules Passed In New York

New York lawmakers have passed new rules for treating and monitoring student athletes that suffer concussions.

The new rule – starting July 1 – requires immediate benching of any student athlete that may have a mild traumatic brain injury and keeps them sidelined from sports and/or gym classes until they are symptom-free for at last 24 hours. It also requires the student to obtain a note from a doctor.

The Concussion Management Awareness Act aims to "establish minimum guidelines regarding removal from play, physician clearance, and return to play protocols," – rules affecting New York’s nearly 700 school districts that will be adopted by the state Education Department along with the state Health Department.

“By instituting these regulations, school personnel will be able to more easily identify concussions and thereby reduce the risk of long-term complications in our young people,” Senator Kemp Hannon, Chairman of the Senate Health Committee said.

Each school district is responsible for training staff and educating students and parents about the new rules. Read more about the new rules.