Below are many frequently asked questions (FAQ) in regard to the Minnesota Concussion Statute.  Please click on the question below to be redirected to the appropriate response.  To download a pdf version of the FAQ document please click here

When does the law go into effect?

  • For Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) activities, the law is effective at the beginning of the 211-12 school year.
  • All other youth activities, the law is effective September 1, 2011.

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Who is required to comply with the law?

  • Any municipality, business, or nonprofit organization that organizes youth athletic activity in which an activity fee is charged.
  • Any activity which meets the above requirements that occurs in Minnesota.
  • Any MSHSL school sponsored sports.

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Are coaches/officials/referees from other states/countries required to complete the online training?

  • Yes, the online training accessible from the Centers for Disease Control must be completed prior to participating/officiating the activity.
  • Coaches/officials/referees must complete the training once every three claendar years after the initial training.
  • It is recommended that individuals completing the online CDC test to print out the certificate acknowledging the completion of the training.
  • There is no language in the statute that requires a club or organization to sign contracts related to concussion training.  The law was not intended to be prescriptive in this regard-we encourage all organizations to develop a system for tracking compliance with the law that bests fits their current processes and available resources.

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Are all youth activity organizations, even those from another state, required to develop policies or procedures regarding the management of concussions?

  • There is no specific language in the statute that requires a club or organization to develop policies or procedures regarding concussions.  However, it is recommended that such policies or procedures are in place to protect the health of the youth participant.
  • Clubs or organizations may develop specific policies or procedures to assure their compliance with the statute.
  • If a club or organization from another states participates in Minnesota, the host club or organization is responsible for compliance with the statute.

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Some of our referees are not of legal age to sign contracts.  Who should we have sign off that the online training has been completed?

  • There is no language in the statute that requires a club or organization to record the online training of their coaches/officials/referees.
  • recommend that individuals completing the online CDC test to print out the certificate acknowledging the completion of the training.

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Is the club or organization obligated to report concussed athletes to other sports or school districts so they can make sure procedures are properly followed for the individual?

  • No, it is strongly recommended that parents or guardians of the concussed youth report a diagnosed concussion with any other club or organization that the youth participates in.

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Our referees are independent contractors. Are they protected if they do not remove a player?

  • Yes, no additional liability is created for officials/referees hired by a club or organization who comply with the statute.  The law does not create any additional or new liability for employees, volunteers or officers of an organization covered under this law.  Whether or not an independent contractor would qualify as an employee depends on the nature of an organization's agreement with that individual.  While this law includes that exemption for additonal or new liability, it does not affect any liability for sports injuries that may have existed prior to passage of the concussion law.

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For more information, please contact the Minnesota Athletic Trainers' Association

http://www.mnata.com

(952) 885-3317

concussion@mnata.com