The Ohio Department of Health has two laws in place to keep our athletes safe.
Ohio's Return to Play Law requires our coaches to complete training once every three years to be able to spot athletes with a possible concussion. It is a requirement that they are removed from play immediately and that they are not allowed to return to play until the following day, and only with a written release from a health care professional. See the information below for more details.
Linday's Law requires all coaches, parents and athletes to annually review an informational video and handout and to sign off that they have completed these. The information helps us all to be on the lookout for signs and symptoms of Sudden Cardiac Arrest in our young athletes. See below for more details and links to the required documentation.
Concussions: Ohio's Return to Play law
As of April 26, 2013, Ohio’s Return-to-Play law ( or ) requires that Ohio youth athletes who are suspected of sustaining a concussion, MUST be removed from practice or play. Ohio laws prohibit a child to return to play (practice or competition) on the same day that he/she is removed on suspicion of having sustained a concussion. He/she may return the following day if cleared in writing by a physician (MD or DO) or other authorized healthcare provider that they did not sustain a concussion.
Ohio's Return to Play Law (ORC 3707.511) requires the following for youth sports organizations:
- Requires a youth sports organization to provide to the parent or other guardian of an individual who wishes to practice for or compete in an athletic activity organized by the organization, a concussion and head injury information sheet created by the Ohio Department of Health.
- Prohibits an individual from acting as a coach or referee for a youth sports organization without successfully completing a free online training program every three years in recognizing the symptoms of concussions posted to the Ohio Department of Health’s website or holding a pupil-activity program permit from the Ohio State Board of Education.
- The youth sport organization for which the individual intends to act as a coach or referee shall inform the individual of the training requirements.
- Requires a coach, referee, or official of a youth sports organization to remove an individual exhibiting signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with having sustained a concussion or head injury from practice or competition.
- Prohibits a coach, referee, or official of a youth sports organization from allowing an individual to return to the practice or competition from which the individual was removed or to participate in any other practice or competition for which the coach, referee, or official is responsible until the individual has been assessed and cleared for return by a physician or by any other licensed healthcare provider authorized by the youth sports organization.
- Prohibits a coach, referee or official of a youth sports organization from allowing an individual to return to the play on the same day as he/she was removed.
Concussion Information Sheet for Parents and Athletes
Concussion Training for Coaches
Ohio Department of Health Youth Concussion informational website
Sudden Cardiac Arrest: Lindsay's Law
What is Sudden Cardiac Arrest? A Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) occurs when the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating, cutting off blood flow to the brain and other vital organs. Sudden cardiac arrest is fatal if not treated immediately, most often by a defibrillator.
Who is Lindsay? Senate Bill 252 is named for national heart health advocate and former Miss Ohio Lindsay Davis who suffers from a heart condition and has since dedicated her career to raising awareness of this potentially fatal condition. "Sudden cardiac arrest is the number one killer of student athletes," said Davis. "At any moment I could have died because coaches and teachers had no idea this was even a possibility for someone who looked as healthy as I did at that age."
Lindsay’s Law Lindsay’s Law, Ohio Revised Code , and went into effect in 2017. In accordance with this law, the Ohio Department of Health, the Ohio Department of Education, the Ohio High School Athletic Association, the Ohio Chapter of the American College of Cardiology and other stakeholders jointly developed guidelines and other relevant materials to inform and educate students and youth athletes participating in or desiring to participate in an athletic activity, their parents, and their coaches about the nature and warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest.
Lindsay's Law Required Handout
Lindsay's Law Required Signature Form
Ohio Department of Health Sudden Cardiac Arrest Informational Website
