Requires public school student with concussion to be evaluated by physician or other licensed health care provider before return to school and return to physical activity at school.
Impact
If enacted, S695 will amend existing state laws concerning public school student health policies, specifically integrating requirements on how schools handle concussions. The bill mandates that the school's 504 team, which is responsible for accommodating students with disabilities, must promptly implement any restrictions or limitations advised by a physician. This ensures that all teachers and staff are informed of a student’s needs during recovery, thereby fostering a supportive educational environment.
Summary
Senate Bill S695 aims to enhance student safety in public schools by mandating that any student who sustains a concussion must undergo an evaluation by a physician or another licensed health care provider trained in concussion management. The bill emphasizes the importance of medical oversight in the return-to-learn and return-to-play protocols for students, ensuring that they receive the necessary care before resuming academic or physical activities. Written clearance from a qualified physician is a prerequisite for students to return to school after a concussion, underlining the bill’s focus on student health and safety.
Contention
While many advocate for the bill, pointing to the rising awareness of concussion impacts in sports and academics, there are concerns about the additional responsibilities placed on schools and healthcare practitioners. Critics argue about the potential administrative burdens and the requirement for timely medical evaluations, which may not always be feasible. Additionally, there could be disparities in access to qualified healthcare providers, especially in rural or underserved areas, prompting concern over equitable treatment for all students.
Same As
Requires public school students with concussion to be evaluated by licensed health care professionals before return to school; requires school districts to provide restrictions or limitations to student as needed.
Requires public school student with concussion to be evaluated by physician or other licensed health care provider before return to school and return to physical activity at school.
Relates to updating school concussion management and response protocols; requires that the injured student have returned to a full class schedule without academic accommodations prior to resuming athletic activity.
Relates to updating school concussion management and response protocols; requires that the injured student have returned to a full class schedule without academic accommodations prior to resuming athletic activity.
Replaces the existing chapter on this subject by requiring school districts to organize concussion oversight teams, develop removal-from-play, return-to-play, and return-to-learn protocols, and develop a concussion brochure.
Requires public school student with concussion to be evaluated by physician or other licensed health care provider before return to school and return to physical activity at school.
Alters a PA’s continuing education requirements, ability to provide charitable care, and authority to clear students to return to sports after health-concern related removal and protect PA’s from certain restrictive covenants.
Increases continuing education requirements for physician assistants, removes restrictions of PAs to render charitable care and aid for school and youth programs or cardiac arrest and removes restrictive covenants as to ownership by a PA.
Increases continuing education requirements for physician assistants, removes restrictions of PAs to render charitable care and aid for school and youth programs or cardiac arrest and removes restrictive covenants as to ownership by a PA.