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AB 2127 – Concussions and Head Injuries: Full-Contact Football Practices

AB 2127 was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown on July 21, 2014.  AB 2127 amends Section 49475 of the Education Code and adds Section 35179.5 to the Education Code.  The new legislation, which will go into effect on January 1, 2015, establishes more stringent safety standards for athletic programs related to concussions and head injuries and will limit full‑contact football practice for middle school and high school teams.

In summary, Section 49475 will be amended as follows:

  • Student athletes, who are suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury or have sustained a concussion or head injury, shall not return to the sport unless and until he/she receives written clearance from a licensed health care provider. 
  • If a licensed health care provider determines that a student athlete sustained a concussion or head injury, the athlete must also complete a “graduated return-to-play protocol” for at least seven (7) days under the supervision of a licensed health care provider. 

In summary, Section 35179.5 will:

  • Prohibit full-contact football practice during the off-season. 
  • Allow only two (2) full-contact football practices per week during the pre-season and regular season. 
  • Limit full-contact football practices to only ninety (90) minutes in any single day. 

Please contact Kingsley Bogard with any questions.

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