Laws
Guidance Materials
The Concussion Law and the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Law both apply to students who participate in interscholastic activities. Following the requirements in these laws is recommended but is not mandatory for intramural or club sports. The Concussion Law applies to student athletes in grades 5-12 and the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Law applies to students under the age of 18 who participate in extracurricular sports, cheerleading, and marching band. More information can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions Documents posted below.
- FAQ Document for Concussions
- IHSAA Suggested Guidelines for Management of Concussion
- FAQ Document for Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Information Sheets
Per IC 20-34-7 and IC 20-34-8, fact sheets must be given to the student and the parent, and both the student and the parent must sign and return a form acknowledging the receipt of the information to the student’s coach or band leader. Schools should develop a policy regarding distribution of these forms through printed or electronic means, obtaining electronic or written signatures, and the process for monitoring the completion and returning of forms.
Information Sheets for Students in Grades 9-12 (Sports and Cheerleading)
- Concussion Fact Sheet for High School Student Athletes
- Concussion Fact Sheet for High School Parents
- Concussion Parent and Student Acknowledgement and Signature Form
- Sudden Cardiac Arrest Fact Sheet for Students
- Sudden Cardiac Arrest Fact Sheet for Parents
- Sudden Cardiac Arrest Parent and Student Acknowledgement and Signature Form
Information Sheets for Student in Grades 5-8 (Sports and Cheerleading)
- Concussion Fact Sheet for Youth Student Athletes
- Concussion Fact Sheet for Youth Parents
- Concussion Parent and Student Acknowledgement and Signature Form
- Sudden Cardiac Arrest Fact Sheet for Students
- Sudden Cardiac Arrest Fact Sheet for Parents
- Sudden Cardiac Arrest Parent and Student Acknowledgement and Signature Form
Information Sheets for Students in Marching Band
- Sudden Cardiac Arrest Fact Sheet for Students
- Sudden Cardiac Arrest Fact Sheet for Parents
- Sudden Cardiac Arrest Parent and Student Acknowledgement and Signature Form
Return to Play Protocols
As part of a school policy, schools should develop procedures regarding return to play protocols for students exhibiting symptoms of a concussion or sudden cardiac arrest. Once schools develop these procedures, the following sample forms may be used.
- Sample Concussion Release to Play Form for Providers
- Sample Suspected Sudden Cardiac Arrest Symptoms Documentation Sheet for Schools
- Sample Sudden Cardiac Arrest Release to Play Form for Parents
List of Required Courses for Coaches and Band Leaders
| Coach or Leader | Indiana Code | Approved Courses |
|---|---|---|
Head or Assistant Coaches (including cheerleading) for all Interscholastic Sports (excluding football) | IC 20-34-7-7: requires concussion awareness and heat-related medical issues training IC 20-34-8-9: requires sudden cardiac arrest training | |
Head or Assistant Coaches for Football | IC 20-34-7-6: requires concussion awareness, equipment fitting, heat emergency preparedness, and proper tackling technique training IC 20-34-8-9: requires sudden cardiac arrest training |
Football coaches must complete all of the courses under one of the options below as well as the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Course. OPTION ONE: NFHS OPTION TWO: USA Football OPTION THREE: NFHS and Atavus |
Band Leaders | IC 20-34-8-9: requires sudden cardiac arrest training |
Return to Learn Protocols
As part of a school policy, schools should develop procedures regarding return to learn protocols for students diagnosed with a concussion. Once schools develop these procedures, the following sample forms may be used.