(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Youth athlete" means an individual who wishes to practice for or compete in athletic activities organized by a youth sports organization;

(2) "Youth sports organization" has the same meaning as in section 3707.51 of the Revised Code.

(B) Prior to the start of each athletic season, a youth sports organization that is subject to this section may hold an informational meeting for youth athletes, parents, guardians, other persons having care or charge of a youth athlete, physicians, pediatric cardiologists, athletic trainers, and any other persons regarding the symptoms and warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest for all ages of youth athletes.

(C) No youth athlete shall participate in an athletic activity organized by a youth sports organization until the youth athlete has submitted to a designated official of the youth sports organization a form signed by the youth athlete and the parent, guardian, or other person having care or charge of the youth athlete stating that the youth athlete and the parent, guardian, or other person having care or charge of the youth athlete have received and reviewed a copy of the information developed by the departments of health and education and posted on their respective internet web sites as required by section 3707.59 of the Revised Code. A completed form shall be submitted each calendar year to each youth sports organization that organizes an athletic activity in which the youth athlete participates.

(D) No individual shall coach an athletic activity organized by a youth sports organization unless the individual has completed, on an annual basis, the sudden cardiac arrest training course approved by the department of health under division (C) of section 3707.59 of the Revised Code.

(E)

(1) A youth athlete shall not be allowed to participate in an athletic activity organized by a youth sports organization if either of the following is the case:

(a) The youth athlete's biological parent, biological sibling, or biological child has previously experienced sudden cardiac arrest, and the youth athlete has not been evaluated and cleared for participation in an athletic activity organized by a youth sports organization by a physician authorized under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery.

(b) The youth athlete is known to have exhibited syncope or fainting at any time prior to or following an athletic activity and has not been evaluated and cleared for return under division (E)(3) of this section after exhibiting syncope or fainting.

(2) A youth athlete shall be removed by the youth athlete's coach from participation in an athletic activity organized by a youth sports organization if the youth athlete exhibits syncope or fainting.

(3) If a youth athlete is not allowed to participate in or is removed from participation in an athletic activity organized by a youth sports organization under division (E)(1) or (2) of this section, the youth athlete shall not be allowed to return to participation until the youth athlete is evaluated and cleared for return in writing by any of the following:

(a) A physician authorized under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery, including a physician who specializes in cardiology;

(b) A certified nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or certified nurse-midwife who holds a certificate of authority issued under Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code.

The licensed health care providers specified in divisions (E)(3)(a) and (b) of this section may consult with any other licensed or certified health care providers in order to determine whether a youth athlete is ready to return to participation.

(F) A youth sports organization that is subject to this section shall establish penalties for a coach who violates the provisions of division (E) of this section.

(G)

(1) A youth sports organization or official, employee, or volunteer of a youth sports organization, including a coach, is not liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to person or property allegedly arising from providing services or performing duties under this section, unless the act or omission constitutes willful or wanton misconduct.

(2) This section does not eliminate, limit, or reduce any other immunity or defense that a public entity, public official, or public employee may be entitled to under Chapter 2744. or any other provision of the Revised Code or under the common law of this state.

Amended by 132nd General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 49, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2017.

Added by 131st General Assembly File No. TBD, SB 252, §1, eff. 3/14/2017.