W. Va. Code R. § 127-2-14

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 127-2-14 - Concussion

14.1. Pursuant to W. Va. Code §18-2-25a, member schools are to provide information in the format approved by the Board of Directors to appropriate school administrators, coaches, interscholastic athletes, and their parents or guardians describing the nature and risk of concussion and head injury, including the risks of continuing to play or practice after a concussion or head injury. Annually, all interscholastic athletes and their parents are required to sign and return a statement that they have read the information provided to them prior to the interscholastic athlete beginning practice or competition for that scholastic year. (See, WVSSAC, Sports Medicine tab, Sports Medicine Packet: Athletic Participation/Parental Consent/Physician's Certificate Form (Physical Exam Form), A Parent's Guide to Concussions (Information to parents), available on the WVSSAC website at http://www.wvssac.org.)

14.2. Each head coach of member schools is required annually to complete a concussion and head injury recognition and return-to-play protocol course approved by the WVSSAC. (See, WVSSAC, Sports Medicine tab, Sports Medicine Packet: Coach's Course, available on the WVSSAC website at http://www.wvssac.org.)

14.3. An interscholastic athlete suspected of a concussion or head injury by a licensed health care professional or by the head coach or athletic trainer shall be removed from play or practice and not return-to-play or practice until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed health care professional trained in the evaluation and management of concussions and receives written clearance to return-to-play and practice from the licensed health care professional. (See, WVSSAC, Sports Medicine tab, Sports Medicine Packet: available on the WVSSAC website at http://www.wvssac.org.)

14.4. Any of the following who have appropriate training in the evaluation and management of head injuries shall be considered as the licensed health care professional enumerated in this rule:

14.4.a. Medical Doctor (MD);

14.4.b. Doctor of Osteopathy (DO);

14.4.c. Doctor of Chiropractic (DC);

14.4.d. Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP);

14.4.e. Physician Assistant (PA-C);

14.4.f. Registered Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC/R); or

14.4.g. Licensed Physical Therapist.

14.5. Member schools must submit Part I of the concussion report form to the WVSSAC within seven days and Part II within 30 days of an interscholastic athlete suffering or being suspected of suffering a concussion or head injury in a practice or game. (See, WVSSAC, Sports Medicine tab, Sports Medicine Packet, available on the WVSSAC website at http://www.wvssac.org.)

14.6. The WVBE shall be notified if any of the documents referred to in this section of the rule are revised, amended, or altered as to form or content. The documents shall include but not be limited to: Athletic Participation/Parental Consent/Physician's Certificate Form (Physical Exam Form); A Parent's Guide to Concussions (Information to Parents), Coach's Course, Return to Play Protocol, Concussion Report form.All forms are found in the WVSSAC Sports Medicine Packet and are available under the Sports Medicine tab, Sports Medicine Packet on the WVSSAC website at http://www.wvssac.org.)

W. Va. Code R. § 127-2-14