271698 Implementation of state youth concussion laws: Lessons, strategies, and best practices

Monday, October 29, 2012 : 1:30 PM - 1:50 PM

Kerri McGowan Lowrey, JD, MPH , Network for Public Health Law--Eastern Region, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, Baltimore, MD
     
As of July 31, 2011, 33 states had passed laws designed to improve awareness, prevention, and treatment of concussions and secondary impact syndrome in youth sports via uniform and compulsory standards including mandatory training for coaches, players, and parents; time restrictions and/or mandatory medical clearance before returning to play after an apparent concussion; and reporting of players' past head injuries. As late as 2009, only one state had enacted such a law. With such rapid and widespread adoption, states will undoubtedly encounter similar barriers and issues related to implementation that public health lawyers should be prepared to navigate. This presentation will: (1) update the legislative landscape related to state youth sports concussion laws; (2) identify and present foreseen challenges related to implementation of state sports concussion laws, including those reported in interviews with officials charged with implementation; and (3) provide an opportunity for audience members to discuss best practices and strategies for overcoming these challenges, including the provision of legal technical assistance to those charged with implementation of the law.

Learning Areas:
Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
(1) Describe the policy landscape related to state youth sports concussion laws; (2) identify and present foreseen challenges related to implementation of state sports concussion laws, including those reported in interviews with officials charged with implementation; and (3) discuss best practices and strategies for overcoming these challenges, including the provision of legal technical assistance to those charged with implementation of the law.

Keywords: Law, Injury Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been a public health lawyer for more than 13 years, and have more than 8 years of experience conducting public health law research.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3210.1: Hot Topics in Public Health Law II (Co-sponsored by the Partnership for Public Health Law and the Law SPIG)