FL S0948

Require independent sanctioning authorities for youth athletics to adopt guidelines educating coaches, officials, administrators, athletes, and parents about concussion and head injury risks.

Require signed informed consent forms annually from parents or guardians before youth athletes participate in practices, tryouts, competitions, or related physical activities, explaining concussion and head injury risks.

Mandate immediate removal of any youth athlete suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury from athletic activities, with written medical clearance from a physician or trained health care professional required before return to play.

Require the Florida High School Athletic Association to establish a Sports Medicine Advisory Committee with 13 members including physicians, osteopaths, chiropractors, athletic trainers, coaches, and school principals to define concussion management standards.

Apply equivalent concussion safety requirements to high school interscholastic athletics through adoption of bylaws and policies by athletic governing organizations, effective July 1, 2012.