SECOND REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 1865

95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES MEINERS (Sponsor), WALSH, JONES (117), NASHEED, FALLERT, HOSKINS (80), SCHUPP, LOW, CORCORAN, LAMPE, SCHOEMEHL, CHAPPELLE-NADAL, HUGHES, BURNETT, VOGT, CURLS, DEEKEN, MOLENDORP, HOLSMAN, ROORDA, RUCKER, STORCH, McCLANAHAN AND SALVA (Co-sponsors).

4227L.03I                                                                                                                                                  D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk

AN ACT

To amend chapter 167, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to youth athletic injuries.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

            Section A. Chapter 167, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 167.750, to read as follows:

            167.750. 1. The school board of each school district and directors of youth sports programs in this state shall work in concert with the Missouri State High School Activities Association to develop guidelines and other pertinent information and forms to inform and educate coaches, youth athletes, and the parents or guardians of youth athletes of the nature and risk of concussion and head injury including continuing to play after concussion or head injury. On a yearly basis, a concussion and head injury information sheet shall be signed and returned by the youth athlete and the athlete's parent or guardian prior to the youth athlete's initiating practice or competition.

            2. A youth athlete who is suspected for sustaining a concussion or head injury in a practice or game shall be removed from competition at that time.

            3. A youth athlete who has been removed from play shall not return to play until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussion and receives written clearance to return to play from that health care provider. The health care provider may be a volunteer. A volunteer who authorizes a youth athlete to return to play is not liable for civil damages resulting from any act or omission in the rendering of such care, other than acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.

            4. Mouth guards shall be required for all youth athletes participating in wrestling, basketball, soccer, football and in all other sports deemed necessary by the Missouri State High School Activities Association.

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