OAR 581-022-2215: Safety of School Sports – Concussions

(1) As used in this rule: (a) “Annual training” means once in a twelve month period. (b) “Coach” means a person who instructs or trains members on a school athletic team and may be: (A) A school district employee; (B) A person who volunteers for a school district (C) A person who is performing services on behalf of a school district pursuant to a contract. (c) “Concussion” means exhibiting signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion following an observed or suspected blow to the head or body. (d) “Health care professional” means a medical doctor, osteopathic physician, psychologist, physician associate or nurse practitioner licensed or certified under the laws of this state. (e) “Proper medical treatment” means treatment provided by a licensed healthcare professional which is within their scope of practice. (f) “Return to participation” means a student can rejoin the athletic event or training. (g) “Training timeline” means every coach receives the training prior to the beginning of the season for the school athletic team they are specifically coaching. (h) “Same day” means the same calendar day on which the injury occurs. (2) Each school district shall: (a) Develop a list of coaches. (b) Identify which community (may include state or national) resources the district will use to provide the training as required in section (3) of this rule. (c) Develop training timelines for coaches of all school athletic teams. (d) Ensure coaches receive training once every twelve months. (e) Develop a tracking system to document that all coaches meet the training requirements of this rule. (f) Ensure no coach allows a member of a school athletic team to participate in any athletic event or training on the same calendar day that the member: (A) Exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion following an observed or suspected blow to the head or body; or (B) Has been diagnosed with a concussion. (g) Except as provided by subsection (3) in this section ensure no coach will allow a student who is prohibited from participating in an athletic event or training, as described in section (2)(f), to return to participate in an athletic event or training no sooner than the day after the student experienced a blow to the head or body. The student may not return to participate in an athletic event or training until the following two conditions have been met: (A) The student no longer exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion; and (B) The student receives a medical release form from a health care professional. (3) A coach may allow a member of a school athletic team to participate in any athletic event or training at any time after an athletic trainer registered by the Board of Athletic Trainers determines that the member has not suffered a concussion. The athletic trainer may, but is not required to, consult with a healthcare professional in making the determination that the member has not suffered a concussion. (4) The training required of coaches under this rules shall include the following: (a) Training in how to recognize the signs and symptoms of a concussion; (b) Training in strategies to reduce the risk of concussions; (c) Training in how to seek proper medical treatment for a person suspected of having a concussion; and (d) Training in determination of when the athlete may safely return to the event or training.