Youth Sports Concussion Legislation: Intentions and Enforcement

Preventing youth sports head injury is an important public health issue. The CDC estimates 173,285 sports related traumatic brain injuries are treated annually among individuals ages 19 and younger in U.S. emergency departments. This study builds upon a previous study examining state concussion legislation by further investigating enforcement mechanisms within each statute. Washington State was the first state to enact youth sports concussion legislation. By January 2014, all fifty states and the District of Columbia passed such legislation. The legislation focuses on the removal of an athlete from play if a concussion is suspected, education for parents, athletes, and coaches as well as acknowledgement that education has been received, and clearance from a licensed healthcare provider before an athlete can return to play. Enforcement mechanisms are rarely included within the statutes, vary by state, and are poorly defined. Massachusetts utilizes a fine system, and Connecticut revokes coaching licenses if the statute is violated. Several states require coach education courses before a coach can receive a coaching license, but no mechanism to ensure the coach or athletic department is obeying the statute after the education course is complete. Creating effective enforcement mechanisms for existing legislation is crucial to reduce the negative effects of head injury in youth sports. Although enforcement mechanisms may vary, each statute should include explicitly defined penalties for violations, as well as a reporting system. Implementing standardized enforcement mechanisms into existing state legislation will improve youth sports head injury health outcomes nationwide.