Zackery Lystedt Law
On May 14, 2009, the State of Washington adopted the Zackery Lystedt Law which requires adoption of policies for the management of concussion and head injury in youth sports.
* Requires all school districts to work with the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association to develop guidelines and informational forms to educate coaches, youth athletes, and their parents of the nature and risk of concussion and head injury
* Requires an informed consent must be signed by parents and youth athletes acknowledging the risk of head injury prior to practice or competition
* Requires that a youth athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury be removed from play. “When in doubt, sit them out”
* Requires that a youth athlete who has been removed from play receive written clearance prior to returning to play from a licensed health care provider.
* Requires private, nonprofit youth sports associations to be in compliance with the policies adopted by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association
* The law will be known as the Zackery Lystedt Law
For more information, visit the Brain Injury Association of Washington website.
