(Information below from the State Medical Board of Ohio)

Ohio’s return-to-play law, (ORC 3313.539 and ORC 3314.03), which addresses concussion foryouth athletes goes into effect on April 26, 2013. The law impacts those participating in interscholastic (school-based) athletics at public and private schools and youth sports organizations. The Ohio Department of Health has published FAQs about the new law and provided detailed resources on the website: http://www.healthyohioprogram.org/concussion.aspx

The return-to-play law prohibits an athlete from returning to play on the same day as he/she is removed. The law also specifies that a physician must provide WRITTEN clearance for an athlete to return to play. A school district or youth sports organization may also authorize a licensed health care provider who is not a physician to make an assessment or grant clearance to return to play if the provider is acting in accordance with one of the following, as applicable to the provider’s authority to practice in Ohio:

1. In consultation with a physician;
2. Pursuant to the referral of a physician;
3. In collaboration with a physician;
4. Under the supervision of a physician.

Links to information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to assist health care providers in helping to identify, diagnose and manage concussions are included in the material published by the Ohio Department of Health.