130th Ohio General Assembly
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Am. S. B. No. 26  As Reported by the House Health and Aging Committee
As Reported by the House Health and Aging Committee

130th General Assembly
Regular Session
2013-2014
Am. S. B. No. 26


Senator Schaffer 

Cosponsors: Senators Gardner, Brown, Tavares, Eklund, Hite, Jones, Kearney, Manning, Obhof, Oelslager, Peterson, Turner 

Representatives Bishoff, Brown, Hottinger 



A BILL
To amend sections 3313.539, 3319.303, and 3707.48 of the Revised Code to correct a cross reference with regard to concussions and head injuries in athletic activities organized by youth sports organizations, to clarify certain references to organizations that regulate interscholastic athletics, and to declare an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1.  That sections 3313.539, 3319.303, and 3707.48 of the Revised Code be amended to read as follows:
Sec. 3313.539. (A) As used in this section, "physician" means a person authorized under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery.
(B) No school district board of education or governing authority of a chartered or nonchartered nonpublic school shall permit a student to practice for or compete in interscholastic athletics until the student has submitted, to a school official designated by the board or governing authority, a form signed by the parent, guardian, or other person having care or charge of the student stating that the student and the parent, guardian, or other person having care or charge of the student have received the concussion and head injury information sheet required by section 3707.52 of the Revised Code. A completed form shall be submitted each school year, as defined in section 3313.62 of the Revised Code, for each sport or other category of interscholastic athletics for or in which the student practices or competes.
(C)(1) No school district board of education or governing authority of a chartered or nonchartered nonpublic school shall permit an individual to coach interscholastic athletics unless the individual holds a pupil-activity program permit issued under section 3319.303 of the Revised Code for coaching interscholastic athletics.
(2) No school district board of education or governing authority of a chartered or nonchartered nonpublic school shall permit an individual to referee interscholastic athletics unless the individual holds a pupil-activity program permit issued under section 3319.303 of the Revised Code for coaching interscholastic athletics or presents evidence that the individual has successfully completed, within the previous three years, a training program in recognizing the symptoms of concussions and head injuries to which the department of health has provided a link on its internet web site under section 3707.52 of the Revised Code or a training program authorized and required by an organization that regulates interscholastic conferences or athletic competition and conducts interscholastic athletic events.
(D) If a student practicing for or competing in an interscholastic athletic event exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with having sustained a concussion or head injury while participating in the practice or competition, the student shall be removed from the practice or competition by either of the following:
(1) The individual who is serving as the student's coach during that practice or competition;
(2) An individual who is serving as a referee during that practice or competition.
(E)(1) If a student is removed from practice or competition under division (D) of this section, the coach or referee who removed the student shall not allow the student, on the same day the student is removed, to return to that practice or competition or to participate in any other practice or competition for which the coach or referee is responsible. Thereafter, the coach or referee shall not allow the student to return to that practice or competition or to participate in any other practice or competition for which the coach or referee is responsible until both of the following conditions are satisfied:
(a) The student's condition is assessed by either of the following:
(i) A physician;
(ii) Any other licensed health care provider the school district board of education or governing authority of the chartered or nonchartered nonpublic school, pursuant to division (E)(2) of this section, authorizes to assess a student who has been removed from practice or competition under division (D) of this section.
(b) The student receives written clearance that it is safe for the student to return to practice or competition from a physician or from another licensed health care provider authorized pursuant to division (E)(2) of this section to grant the clearance.
(2) A school district board of education or governing authority of a chartered or nonchartered nonpublic school may authorize a licensed health care provider who is not a physician to make an assessment or grant a clearance for purposes of division (E)(1) of this section only if the provider is acting in accordance with one of the following, as applicable to the provider's authority to practice in this state:
(a) In consultation with a physician;
(b) Pursuant to the referral of a physician;
(c) In collaboration with a physician;
(d) Under the supervision of a physician.
(3) A physician or other licensed health care provider who makes an assessment or grants a clearance for purposes of division (E)(1) of this section may be a volunteer.
(F) A school district board of education or governing authority of a chartered or nonchartered nonpublic school that is subject to the rules of an interscholastic conference or an organization that regulates interscholastic conferences or athletic competition and conducts interscholastic athletic events shall be considered to be in compliance with divisions (B), (D), and (E) of this section, as long as the requirements of those rules are substantially similar to the requirements of divisions (B), (D), and (E) of this section.
(G)(1) A school district, member of a school district board of education, or school district employee or volunteer, including a coach or referee, is not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property allegedly arising from providing services or performing duties under this section, unless the act or omission constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.
This section does not eliminate, limit, or reduce any other immunity or defense that a school district, member of a school district board of education, or school district employee or volunteer, including a coach or referee, may be entitled to under Chapter 2744. or any other provision of the Revised Code or under the common law of this state.
(2) A chartered or nonchartered nonpublic school or any officer, director, employee, or volunteer of the school, including a coach or referee, is not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property allegedly arising from providing services or performing duties under this section, unless the act or omission constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.
Sec. 3319.303. (A) The state board of education shall adopt rules establishing standards and requirements for obtaining a pupil-activity program permit for any individual who does not hold a valid educator license, certificate, or permit issued by the state board under section 3319.22, 3319.26, or 3319.27 of the Revised Code. The permit issued under this section shall be valid for coaching, supervising, or directing a pupil-activity program under section 3313.53 of the Revised Code. Subject to the provisions of section 3319.31 of the Revised Code, a permit issued under this section shall be valid for three years and shall be renewable.
(B) The state board shall adopt rules applicable to individuals who hold valid educator licenses, certificates, or permits issued by the state board under section 3319.22, 3319.26, or 3319.27 of the Revised Code setting forth standards to assure any such individual's competence to direct, supervise, or coach a pupil-activity program. The rules adopted under this division shall not be more stringent than the standards set forth in rules applicable to individuals who do not hold such licenses, certificates, or permits adopted under division (A) of this section.
(C) As a condition to issuing or renewing a pupil-activity program permit to coach interscholastic athletics:
(1) The state board shall require each individual applying for a first permit on or after the effective date of this amendment April 26, 2013, to successfully complete a training program that is specifically focused on brain trauma and brain injury management.
(2) The state board shall require each individual applying for a permit renewal on or after that date to present evidence that the individual has successfully completed, within the previous three years, a training program in recognizing the symptoms of concussions and head injuries to which the department of health has provided a link on its internet web site under section 3707.52 of the Revised Code or a training program authorized and required by an organization that regulates interscholastic conferences or athletic competition and conducts interscholastic athletic events.
Sec. 3707.48.  No person shall violate sections 3707.01 to 3707.53, inclusive, 3707.50 or section 3707.53 of the Revised Code, or any order or regulation of the board of health of a city or general health district made in pursuance thereof, obstruct or interfere with the execution of such order, or willfully or illegally omit to obey such order.
Section 2.  That existing sections 3313.539, 3319.303, and 3707.48 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.
Section 3. This act is hereby declared to be an emergency measure necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety. The reason for such necessity is to protect the safety of Ohio's youth. Therefore, this act shall go into immediate effect.
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