Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-24-155

- Reinstatement

A. As defined in this act:

1. "Athlete" means a secondary-school-age individual who is

participating in a sport which is individual- and/or team-based,

outside of school or within school and either competitive or in an

organized practice; and

2. "Health care provider" means an individual who is

registered, certified, licensed or otherwise recognized by the state

to provide medical or psychological treatment and who is trained and

experienced in the evaluation, management and care of concussions.

B. The State Department of Health shall create a concussion

management section on its website to provide the guidelines

necessary for each school district board of education and youth

sports organization to develop their own policies and procedures

pertaining to, but not limited to:

1. A concussion and head injury information sheet for game

officials, team officials, athletes, parents or guardians and other

persons having care or charge of athletes of the signs and symptoms

of concussion or head injury and the risk of continuing to practice

or compete in an athletic event or activity after sustaining a

concussion or head injury;

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2. "Return to Learn" guidelines for teachers and relevant

school personnel pertaining to athletes who are returning to the

classroom after sustaining a concussion or head injury;

3. "Graduated Stepwise Return to Athletic Participation"

guidelines for team officials pertaining to athletes returning to

practice or competition after a concussion or head injury; and

4. Links to one or more free online concussion training

programs as provided by the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention (CDC), the National Federation of State High School

Associations (NFHS) or a comparable program or resource.

The Department shall periodically review the guidelines and update

it accordingly.

C. Each school district board of education and youth sports

organization or association shall develop policies and procedures

pursuant to subsection B of this section to inform and educate their

respective coaches, game officials, team officials, athletes and

their parents or guardians of the nature and risk of concussion and

head injury, including continuing to play after concussion or head

injury. On an annual basis, information regarding concussion and

head injuries shall be disseminated to the athlete and his or her

parent or guardian. Acknowledgment and understanding of the

information shall be completed by the athlete and the athlete's

parent or guardian and maintained by the school or the youth sports

organization or association prior to the athlete's participation in

practice or competition.

1. On an annual basis, game officials and team officials shall

undergo concussion training provided by the CDC, the NFHS or a

comparable program or resource. A record of completion of the

training course shall be readily available upon request.

2. If any game official or team official responsible for the

care and safety of an athlete in an athletic event becomes aware or

suspects an athlete is exhibiting signs, symptoms or behaviors

consistent with having sustained a concussion or head injury, he or

she shall remove the athlete from the practice or competition.

3. If an athlete is removed from practice or competition as

provided in paragraph 2 of this subsection, the athlete shall not,

on the same day the athlete is removed, be permitted to return to

that practice or competition or to participate in any other practice

or competition, unless deemed eligible pursuant to the provisions of

paragraph 4 of this subsection.

4. An athlete who has been removed from participation as

provided in paragraph 2 of this subsection may not participate until

the athlete is evaluated by a health care provider and receives

written clearance to return to participation from that health care
to participate in any other practice

or competition, unless deemed eligible pursuant to the provisions of

paragraph 4 of this subsection.

4. An athlete who has been removed from participation as

provided in paragraph 2 of this subsection may not participate until

the athlete is evaluated by a health care provider and receives

written clearance to return to participation from that health care

provider. The health care provider may be a volunteer. A health

care provider, game official or team official, whether volunteer or

employee, shall not be liable for civil damages for injury, death or

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loss to person or property allegedly arising from any act or

omission in providing services or performing duties unless the acts

or omissions constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton

misconduct.

D. Respective governing boards shall establish the following

minimum penalties for a violation of paragraph 2 of subsection C of

this section for those individuals set forth in paragraph 1 of

subsection C of this section:

1. First violation shall be additional concussion recognition

and management education as predetermined by the governing board;

2. Second violation shall be suspension from the sport until

appearance before the governing board; and

3. Monetary fines shall not be considered as a penalty.

E. The Department shall promulgate rules necessary to implement

the provisions of this act.