Student-Athlete Protection Act
Senate Bill 652
Vanessa Wigand, Principal Specialist for Health and
Physical Education, Driver Education and Athletics
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Goals of
Senate Bill 652


Directed the Board of Education (BOE) to
develop guidelines for policies dealing
with concussions in student-athletes
Requires local school boards to develop
policies and procedures regarding
identification and handling of suspected
concussions in student-athletes
2
Goals of Senate Bill
652 (continued)
Requires the BOE to define appropriate
health care providers authorized to
evaluate and provide written clearance for
return to play to ensure that studentathletes who sustain concussions are
properly diagnosed, given adequate time to
heal, and comprehensively supported
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A Collaborative Process
As specified in the bill, the VDOE assembled the
“dream team’ in neuroscience, and worked with:

The Virginia High School League, the Virginia
Department of Health, the Virginia Athletic Trainers
Association, Children’s Hospital of the King’s
Daughters, Children’s National Medical Center, the
Brain Injury Association of Virginia, the American
Academy of Pediatrics, the Virginia College of
Emergency Physicians, and other interested
stakeholders
4
As a Result of Public Comment…
Language (that was not
required by the legislation)
was added to address the
academic needs and gradual
reintroduction of cognitive
demands for students who
have sustained concussions
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BOE’s Definition of Appropriate
Licensed Health Care Provider
Physician, Physician Assistant,
Osteopath or Athletic Trainer
Licensed by the Board of Medicine
Neuropsychologist licensed by
the Board or Psychology, or
Nurse Practitioner licensed by
the Board of Nursing
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The Legislation Requires that
the BOE Guidelines Require

Student-athletes and parents review information
about short- and long-term effects of concussions

They must sign a statement acknowledging receipt,
review and understanding of such information

Local school divisions are responsible
for designing the content, process
and ensuring accountability
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BOE Guidelines Require
“If in Doubt, Sit Them Out”
Student-athlete suspected of sustaining a
concussion shall be removed from activity
The student-athlete shall not return to play until:
 Evaluated,
 Treated, and
 Receives written clearance to return to play from a
licensed health care provider
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BOE Guidelines Require
a Sideline Assessment
Appropriate licensed health
care providers or properly
trained individuals will use
a standardized concussion
sideline assessment tool
(SCAT II, SAC, BESS, etc.)
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BOE Guidelines Require
School Divisions to have
Concussion Policy Teams
At a minimum, the team must include a:
school administrator, athletic administrator,
appropriate health care provider, coach,
parent, and student
They must review local concussion
management policies on an annual basis
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BOE Guidelines Require
Protocols for Return to Play

Immediately remove student athlete
when injured

No participation until asymptomatic
during or following periods of
supervised exercise that is gradually
intensified

Must receive written medical release
from an approved licensed health
care provider
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BOE Guidelines Require
Annual Training for Personnel
School divisions must develop policies
for staff, coaches, athletic trainers, team
physicians, and volunteers to receive
current training on:
• strategies to reduce concussions
• how to recognize and treat concussions
• when student can safely return to play
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BOE Guidelines Require
a Tracking System
School divisions must maintain a tracking
system to document compliance with the
annual training requirement
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