Sec. 38.157. RETURN TO PLAY IN PRACTICE OR COMPETITION

(a) A student removed from an interscholastic athletics practice or competition under Section 38.156 may not be permitted to practice or compete again following the force or impact believed to have caused the concussion until:

(1) the student has been evaluated, using established medical protocols based on peer-reviewed scientific evidence, by a treating physician chosen by the student or the student's parent or guardian or another person with legal authority to make medical decisions for the student;

(2) the student has successfully completed each requirement of the return-to-play protocol established under Section 38.153 necessary for the student to return to play;

(3) the treating physician has provided a written statement indicating that, in the physician's professional judgment, it is safe for the student to return to play; and

(4) the student and the student's parent or guardian or another person with legal authority to make medical decisions for the student:

(A) have acknowledged that the student has completed the requirements of the return-to-play protocol necessary for the student to return to play;

(B) have provided the treating physician's written statement under Subdivision (3) to the person responsible for compliance with the return-to-play protocol under Subsection (c) and the person who has supervisory responsibilities under Subsection (c); and

(C) have signed a consent form indicating that the person signing:

(i) has been informed concerning and consents to the student participating in returning to play in accordance with the return-to-play protocol;

(ii) understands the risks associated with the student returning to play and will comply with any ongoing requirements in the return-to-play protocol;

(iii) consents to the disclosure to appropriate persons, consistent with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (Pub. L. No. 104-191), of the treating physician's written statement under Subdivision (3) and, if any, the return-to-play recommendations of the treating physician; and

(iv) understands the immunity provisions under Section 38.159.

(b) A coach of an interscholastic athletics team may not authorize a student's return to play.

(c) The school district superintendent or the superintendent's designee or, in the case of a home-rule school district or open-enrollment charter school, the person who serves the function of superintendent or that person's designee shall supervise an athletic trainer or other person responsible for compliance with the return-to-play protocol. The person who has supervisory responsibilities under this subsection may not be a coach of an interscholastic athletics team.

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 781 , Sec. 2, eff. June 17, 2011.