AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- SCHOOL AND YOUTH PROGRAMS CONCUSSION ACT (Requires all school districts to designate a certified athletic trainer at each high school within its district.)

H7901

2026 -- H 7901
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LC005542
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- SCHOOL AND YOUTH PROGRAMS CONCUSSION ACT

Introduced By:
Representatives Baginski, and O'Brien

Date Introduced:
February 27, 2026

Referred To:
House Education
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Section 16-91-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-91 entitled "School and
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Youth Programs Concussion Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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16-91-3. School district’s guidelines to be developed and implemented.
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(a) The department of education and the department of health shall work in concert with
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the Rhode Island Interscholastic League to develop and promulgate guidelines to inform and
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educate coaches, teachers, school nurses, youth athletes, and their parents and/or guardians of the
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nature and risk of concussion and head injury, including continuing to play after concussion or head
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injury. A concussion and head injury information sheet shall be signed and returned by the youth
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athlete and the athlete’s parent and/or guardian prior to the youth athlete’s return to practice or
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competition.
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(b) School districts are required to use training materials made available by the United
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States Center for Disease Control and Prevention entitled “Heads Up: Concussion in the High
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School Sports/Concussion in Youth Sports” and any updates or amendments thereto, or training
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materials substantively and substantially similar thereto. The department of education shall post
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training materials made available by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Rhode
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Island Interscholastic League on its website. All coaches and volunteers involved in a youth sport
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or activity covered by this chapter must complete a training course and a refresher course annually
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thereafter in concussions and traumatic brain injuries. All school nurses must complete a training
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course and an annual refresher course in concussions and traumatic brain injuries. Teachers and

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teachers’ aides are strongly encouraged to complete the training course in concussions and
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traumatic brain injuries. Training may consist of videos, classes, and any other generally accepted
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mode and medium of providing information.
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(c)
School districts are encouraged to have all student athletes perform baseline
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neuropsychological testing, computerized or otherwise.
Parents and/or guardians shall be provided
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with information as to the risk of concussion and/or traumatic brain injuries prior to the start of
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every sport season and they shall sign an acknowledgement as to their receipt of such information.
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(d) A
youth

student
athlete, who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in
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a practice or game, shall be removed from competition at that time.
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(e) A
youth

student
athlete, who has been removed from play, may not return to play until
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the athlete is evaluated by a licensed physician who may consult with an athletic trainer, all of
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whom shall be trained in the evaluation and management of concussions. The athlete must receive
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written clearance to return to play from that licensed physician.
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(f) All school districts are encouraged to have an athletic trainer
, or similarly trained
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person, at all recreational and athletic events addressed by this statute

designated at each secondary
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school within a district; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, all school districts
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shall be required to designate an athletic trainer licensed pursuant to chapter 60 of title 5 for each
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high school within its district
.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- SCHOOL AND YOUTH PROGRAMS CONCUSSION ACT
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This act would require all school districts to designate a certified athletic trainer at each
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high school within its district.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC005542
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