Summary of HB143

• Requires school districts and nonpublic schools to obtain signed parental acknowledgment that students and parents have received concussion and head injury information before students can practice or compete in interscholastic athletics.

• Mandates that coaches seeking initial pupil-activity program permits complete training on brain trauma and brain injury management, and that all coaches renew permits by completing concussion recognition training within the previous three years.

• Requires immediate removal of students exhibiting concussion symptoms from athletic practices or competitions and prohibits return to play on the same day; students may only return after assessment and written clearance from a physician or authorized licensed health care provider.

• Establishes that referees must hold a coaching permit or complete concussion recognition training within three years, and allows referees to remove students from play for suspected concussions.

• Creates liability protections for schools, coaches, referees, and youth sports organizations unless conduct constitutes willful or wanton misconduct; applies concussion protocols to community schools, STEM schools, and youth sports organizations.