1 New Subdivision; University System of New Hampshire; Head Injury Policies for Student-Athletes. Amend RSA 187-A by inserting after section 42 the following new subdivision:

Head Injury Policies for Student-Athletes

187-A:43 Definitions. As used in this subdivision:

I. "Head injury'' means injuries to the scalp, skull, or brain caused by trauma, and shall include a concussion which is the most common type of sports-related brain injury.

II. "Health care provider'' means a person who is licensed, certified, or otherwise statutorily authorized by the state to provide medical treatment and is trained in the evaluation and management of concussions.

III. "Institution property'' means all real property, physical plant, and equipment used for institution purposes.

IV. "Student-athlete'' means a student of the university system of New Hampshire who is involved in the institution's varsity athletic teams.

187-A:44 Head Injury Policies for Student-Athletes.

I. The athletic department of each institution in the university system of New Hampshire shall have guidelines, procedures, and other pertinent information and forms, developed in accordance with the National Collegiate Athletic Association or other national authority governing the institution's sports programs, to govern procedures for evaluation and treatment of concussion and head injury, including return to play and continuing evaluation, and to inform coaches and student-athletes of the nature and risk of concussion and head injury including continuing to play after concussion or head injury, and of chronic traumatic encephalopathy and other brain pathologies. On an annual basis, the athletic department of each institution shall distribute a concussion and head injury information sheet to all student-athletes.

II. At the beginning of a student-athlete's participation in a collision or contact sport, or a sport that requires the use of a helmet or the use of the head in contact with a ball, the institution shall provide the opportunity for neurocognitive testing.

187-A:45 Removal of a Student-Athlete.

I. An employee coach, official, licensed athletic trainer, or health care provider who suspects that a student-athlete has sustained a concussion or head injury in a practice or game shall follow the institutional policy and procedures for removal from play and practice.

II. Upon the removal of a student athlete from play or practice, a licensed athletic trainer or health care provider shall follow the institutional policy and procedures for evaluation, treatment, and return to play.

III. No person who authorizes a student-athlete to return to play shall be liable for civil damages resulting from any act or omission in the rendering of such care, other than acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.

187-A:46 Further Dissemination of Concussion and Head Injury Information. The appropriate department of each institution in the university system of New Hampshire shall develop a centralized resource related to the nature, risk, and treatment of concussion and head injury for reference by students participating in non-varsity athletics sponsored and supervised by campus recreation or similar departments.

187-A:47 Limitation of Liability. An employee of a university system of New Hampshire institution, or volunteer or employee of a company under contract to such institution, shall be immune from civil liability for good faith conduct arising from or pertaining to the injury or death of a student-athlete or a participant in any non-varsity athletics sponsored and supervised by campus recreation or similar departments, provided the action or inaction was in compliance with this subdivision and the institution's policies relative to the management of concussions and head injuries. The institutions may provide concussion guidelines to other organizations sponsoring athletic activities on institution property, however the institution shall not be required to enforce compliance with such guidelines.

2 New Subdivision; Community College System of New Hampshire; Head Injury Policies for Student-Athletes. Amend RSA 188-F by inserting after section 67 the following new subdivision:

Head Injury Policies for Student-Athletes

188-F:68 Definitions. As used in this subdivision:

I. "Head injury'' means injuries to the scalp, skull, or brain caused by trauma, and shall include a concussion which is the most common type of sports-related brain injury.

II. "Health care provider'' means a person who is licensed, certified, or otherwise statutorily authorized by the state to provide medical treatment and is trained in the evaluation and management of concussions.

III. "Institution property'' means all real property, physical plant, and equipment used for institution purposes.

IV. "Student-athlete'' means a student of the community college system of New Hampshire who is involved in the institution's varsity athletic teams.

188-F:69 Head Injury Policies for Student-Athletes.

I. The athletic department of each institution in the community college system of New Hampshire shall have guidelines, procedures, and other pertinent information and forms, developed in accordance with the National Collegiate Athletic Association or other national authority governing the institution's sports programs, to govern procedures for evaluation and treatment of concussion and head injury, including return to play and continuing evaluation, and to inform coaches and student-athletes of the nature and risk of concussion and head injury including continuing to play after concussion or head injury, and of chronic traumatic encephalopathy and other brain pathologies. On an annual basis, the athletic department of each institution shall distribute a concussion and head injury information sheet to all student-athletes.

II. At the beginning of a student-athlete's participation in a collision or contact sport, or a sport that requires the use of a helmet or the use of the head in contact with a ball, the institution shall provide the opportunity for neurocognitive testing.

188-F:70 Removal of a Student-Athlete.

I. An employee coach, official, licensed athletic trainer, or health care provider who suspects that a student-athlete has sustained a concussion or head injury in a practice or game shall follow the institutional policy and procedures for removal from play and practice.

II. Upon the removal of a student athlete from play or practice, a licensed athletic trainer or health care provider shall follow the institutional policy and procedures for evaluation, treatment, and return to play.

III. No person who authorizes a student-athlete to return to play shall be liable for civil damages resulting from any act or omission in the rendering of such care, other than acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.

188-F:71 Further Dissemination of Concussion and Head Injury Information. The appropriate department of each institution in the community college system of New Hampshire shall develop a centralized resource related to the nature, risk, and treatment of concussion and head injury for reference by students participating in non-varsity athletics sponsored and supervised by campus recreation or similar departments.

188-F:72 Limitation of Liability. An employee of a community college system of New Hampshire institution, or volunteer or employee of a company under contract to such institution, shall be immune from civil liability for good faith conduct arising from or pertaining to the injury or death of a student-athlete or a participant in any non-varsity athletics sponsored and supervised by campus recreation or similar departments, provided the action or inaction was in compliance with this subdivision and the institution's policies relative to the management of concussions and head injuries. The institutions may provide concussion guidelines to other organizations sponsoring athletic activities on institution property, however the institution shall not be required to enforce compliance with such guidelines.

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

1 New Subdivision; University System of New Hampshire; Head Injury Policies for Student-Athletes. Amend RSA 187-A by inserting after section 42 the following new subdivision:

Head Injury Policies for Student-Athletes

187-A:43 Definitions. As used in this subdivision:

I. "Head injury'' means injuries to the scalp, skull, or brain caused by trauma, and shall include a concussion which is the most common type of sports-related brain injury.

II. "Health care provider'' means a person who is licensed, certified, or otherwise statutorily authorized by the state to provide medical treatment and is trained in the evaluation and management of concussions.

III. "Institution property'' means all real property, physical plant, and equipment used for institution purposes.

IV. "Student-athlete'' means a student of the university system of New Hampshire who is involved in the institution's varsity athletic teams.

187-A:44 Head Injury Policies for Student-Athletes.

I. The athletic department of each institution in the university system of New Hampshire shall have guidelines, procedures, and other pertinent information and forms, developed in accordance with the National Collegiate Athletic Association or other national authority governing the institution's sports programs, to govern procedures for evaluation and treatment of concussion and head injury, including return to play and continuing evaluation, and to inform coaches and student-athletes of the nature and risk of concussion and head injury including continuing to play after concussion or head injury, and of chronic traumatic encephalopathy and other brain pathologies. On an annual basis, the athletic department of each institution shall distribute a concussion and head injury information sheet to all student-athletes.

II. At the beginning of a student-athlete's participation in a collision or contact sport, or a sport that requires the use of a helmet or the use of the head in contact with a ball, the institution shall provide the opportunity for neurocognitive testing.

187-A:45 Removal of a Student-Athlete.

I. An employee coach, official, licensed athletic trainer, or health care provider who suspects that a student-athlete has sustained a concussion or head injury in a practice or game shall follow the institutional policy and procedures for removal from play and practice.

II. Upon the removal of a student athlete from play or practice, a licensed athletic trainer or health care provider shall follow the institutional policy and procedures for evaluation, treatment, and return to play.

III. No person who authorizes a student-athlete to return to play shall be liable for civil damages resulting from any act or omission in the rendering of such care, other than acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.

187-A:46 Further Dissemination of Concussion and Head Injury Information. The appropriate department of each institution in the university system of New Hampshire shall develop a centralized resource related to the nature, risk, and treatment of concussion and head injury for reference by students participating in non-varsity athletics sponsored and supervised by campus recreation or similar departments.

187-A:47 Limitation of Liability. An employee of a university system of New Hampshire institution, or volunteer or employee of a company under contract to such institution, shall be immune from civil liability for good faith conduct arising from or pertaining to the injury or death of a student-athlete or a participant in any non-varsity athletics sponsored and supervised by campus recreation or similar departments, provided the action or inaction was in compliance with this subdivision and the institution's policies relative to the management of concussions and head injuries. The institutions may provide concussion guidelines to other organizations sponsoring athletic activities on institution property, however the institution shall not be required to enforce compliance with such guidelines.

2 New Subdivision; Community College System of New Hampshire; Head Injury Policies for Student-Athletes. Amend RSA 188-F by inserting after section 67 the following new subdivision:

Head Injury Policies for Student-Athletes

188-F:68 Definitions. As used in this subdivision:

I. "Head injury'' means injuries to the scalp, skull, or brain caused by trauma, and shall include a concussion which is the most common type of sports-related brain injury.

II. "Health care provider'' means a person who is licensed, certified, or otherwise statutorily authorized by the state to provide medical treatment and is trained in the evaluation and management of concussions.

III. "Institution property'' means all real property, physical plant, and equipment used for institution purposes.

IV. "Student-athlete'' means a student of the community college system of New Hampshire who is involved in the institution's varsity athletic teams.

188-F:69 Head Injury Policies for Student-Athletes.

I. The athletic department of each institution in the community college system of New Hampshire shall have guidelines, procedures, and other pertinent information and forms, developed in accordance with the National Collegiate Athletic Association or other national authority governing the institution's sports programs, to govern procedures for evaluation and treatment of concussion and head injury, including return to play and continuing evaluation, and to inform coaches and student-athletes of the nature and risk of concussion and head injury including continuing to play after concussion or head injury, and of chronic traumatic encephalopathy and other brain pathologies. On an annual basis, the athletic department of each institution shall distribute a concussion and head injury information sheet to all student-athletes.

II. At the beginning of a student-athlete's participation in a collision or contact sport, or a sport that requires the use of a helmet or the use of the head in contact with a ball, the institution shall provide the opportunity for neurocognitive testing.

188-F:70 Removal of a Student-Athlete.

I. An employee coach, official, licensed athletic trainer, or health care provider who suspects that a student-athlete has sustained a concussion or head injury in a practice or game shall follow the institutional policy and procedures for removal from play and practice.

II. Upon the removal of a student athlete from play or practice, a licensed athletic trainer or health care provider shall follow the institutional policy and procedures for evaluation, treatment, and return to play.

III. No person who authorizes a student-athlete to return to play shall be liable for civil damages resulting from any act or omission in the rendering of such care, other than acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.

188-F:71 Further Dissemination of Concussion and Head Injury Information. The appropriate department of each institution in the community college system of New Hampshire shall develop a centralized resource related to the nature, risk, and treatment of concussion and head injury for reference by students participating in non-varsity athletics sponsored and supervised by campus recreation or similar departments.

188-F:72 Limitation of Liability. An employee of a community college system of New Hampshire institution, or volunteer or employee of a company under contract to such institution, shall be immune from civil liability for good faith conduct arising from or pertaining to the injury or death of a student-athlete or a participant in any non-varsity athletics sponsored and supervised by campus recreation or similar departments, provided the action or inaction was in compliance with this subdivision and the institution's policies relative to the management of concussions and head injuries. The institutions may provide concussion guidelines to other organizations sponsoring athletic activities on institution property, however the institution shall not be required to enforce compliance with such guidelines.

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.