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Focus on New Laws: Youth Sports and Concussion Awareness

The aim of a new law is to prevent and identify concussions in youths participating in sports.
(Published Jul 13, 2011)

A new law, Chapter 90 (SF 612/HF 905), sets into place policies and new standards for educating youth athletes, parents, and coaches on the topic of head concussions. As drafted, the new law—which goes into effect for the school year on Sept. 1, 2011—applies to city-sponsored youth athletics, youth athletic associations, and regular school sports programs.

Starting this September, sports and athletic event organizers must make information accessible to all participating coaches, officials, youth athletes, and the athletes’ parents or guardians about the nature and risks of concussions. Additionally, it will require all participating coaches and officials to receive initial online training on the nature and risks of concussions. The training must be repeated every three years.

The online training must be consistent with that provided by the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and must address:

  • The nature and risks associated with the athletic activity.
  • The signs, symptoms, and behaviors consistent with a concussion.
  • The need to alert appropriate medical professionals for urgent diagnosis and treatment when a youth athlete is suspected or observed to have received a concussion
  • The need for a youth athlete who sustains a concussion to follow proper medical direction and protocols for treatment and returning to play.

The easiest approach to comply with the training requirements is to use the free online course and printable information already found on the CDC website. Coaches and others can print a certificate demonstrating that they have competed the online training. The city should document compliance with the new law by preserving copies of coaches’ and officials’ certificates of completion, along with copies of the materials provided to parents and coaches. No one is required to use the CDC program, but the law mandates that the program be consistent with the CDC version.

Access the CDC online training

The new law is not intended to create any additional liability for or new cause for legal action against a city providing youth sports activities. In addition, the new law does not alter immunities given to volunteer coaches under state law. This was one of the biggest concerns for the League as this bill went through the legislative process.

For more information about this law, read a new information memo from the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust.

View Youth Sports and Concussion Awareness memo (pdf)

Read the current issue of the Cities Bulletin