72-7119. School sports head injury prevention act. (a) This section shall be known and may be cited as the school sports head injury prevention act.

(b) As used in this section:

(1) "School" means any public or accredited private high school, middle school or junior high school.

(2) "Health care provider" means a person licensed by the state board of healing arts to practice medicine and surgery.

(c) The state board of education, in cooperation with the Kansas state high school activities association, shall compile information on the nature and risk of concussion and head injury including the dangers and risks associated with the continuation of playing or practicing after a person suffers a concussion or head injury. Such information shall be provided to school districts for distribution to coaches, school athletes and the parents or guardians of school athletes.

(d) A school athlete may not participate in any sport competition or practice session unless such athlete and the athlete’s parent or guardian have signed, and returned to the school, a concussion and head injury information release form. A release form shall be signed and returned each school year that a student athlete participates in sport competitions or practice sessions.

(e) If a school athlete suffers, or is suspected of having suffered, a concussion or head injury during a sport competition or practice session, such school athlete immediately shall be removed from the sport competition or practice session.

(f) Any school athlete who has been removed from a sport competition or practice session shall not return to competition or practice until the athlete is evaluated by a health care provider and the health care provider provides such athlete a written clearance to return to play or practice. If the health care provider who provides the clearance to return to play or practice is not an employee of the school district, such health care provider shall not be 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.

(g) This section shall take effect on and after July 1, 2011.

History: L. 2011, ch. 114, § 17; June 9.