1) The document summarizes Connecticut's concussion law and the development of the CIAC's Module #15 on concussions. 2) It describes how the law was inspired by the story of Zackery Lystedt, a middle school football player who was permanently disabled after sustaining two concussions in one game. 3) It outlines the content of Module #15, which is a 3-hour course on concussion management that is part of CIAC's coaching certification program. The course covers topics like concussion symptoms, treatment, and return-to-play protocols.

1. State of Connecticut Concussion Law
and
Development of CIAC Module #15

2. PA 10 - 62

3. • Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney and
Thomas Gaffney, Education Committee Chair
• Announcement – concussion legislation
proposal
- NFL
- Zackery Lystedt (Washington state) - 2009

4. ZACKERY LYSTEDT

5. • 13 yr. old middle school football player
• permanently disabled in 2006
• sustained a concussion after tackling an
opponent
• prematurely returned to a game

6. Zackery Lystedt Story
 video – shows Zack lying on the ground clutching
both sides of his helmet; rolling back & forth in pain

7. CONSEQUENTLY
 the referee called time-out
 Zack was sidelined for 3 plays before half-time
 by the start of the 3rd quarter, BACK IN THE GAME
 collapsed on the field; airlifted to medical center

8. RESULTS OF PREMATURE RETURN
 underwent emergency
life-saving surgery
 remove both sides of
skull to relieve pressure
 experienced numerous
strokes
 7 days on a ventilator
 3 months in a coma
 4 weeks in a nursing
home
 2 months in a children’s
hospital for rehab
 9 months before he
spoke his first word
 13 months before he
moved a leg or an arm
 20 months on a feeding
tube
 3 yrs before he would
stand, with assistance,
on his own 2 feet

9. RESULTS OF PREMATURE RETURN

10. • prior to the proposal – The Connecticut
Concussion Task Force

11. • Brain Injury Alliance of Connecticut (BIAC)
partnered with the Senators
• meeting to help craft the language
of the legislation
• The Connecticut Concussion Task Force

12. • initially, bill crafted after the Lystedt Law in
Washington state
• then after the state law that passed in Oregon
• Washington state (1st) and Oregon (2nd) were
the original state concussion laws in the
nation
• BIAC – distributed a press release

13. • due to CT’s severe budget situation,
legislation introduced could not include a
fiscal note - example, informed consent
• did not cover community, recreation or non-
public schools
• mechanism of enforcement – through the
Department of Education

14. • March 17
- public hearing on legislation, also
- BIAC Legislative Action Day at the Capitol
- partnered with the CATA

15. • Professionals, students, coaches and parents
all testified in support of the legislation
• Over 20 organizations signed on in support of
the bill

16. • April 22 - the bill passed unanimously
• May 18 - Public Act 10 – 62 signed into law
by the Governor
• July 1 - the act went into law immediately
3rd state (after Washington State and
Oregon) in the nation to have a
concussion bill

17. SINCE JULY 1, 2010
 Connecticut – stagnated/no updates
 parent education – 47 states mandate
 athlete education – 46 states mandate
 informed consent – 44 states require
 youth sports concussion training – players,
coaches, parents, etc.
NONE PART OF CONNECTICUT LAW

18. Dr. Karissa Niehoff
 Executive Director, CAS-CIAC
 Update on the recently proposed legislature

20. • part of CIAC Coaches Education Program
• 3 - hour course
• component of/embedded into CIAC 45
clock hour Coaches Certification Course
• also taught as a stand-alone
• taught by ATCs with athletic directors

21. CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT
COURSE (Module #15) CONTENT
 The Concussion Legislation
Public Act No. 10-62
 Basic Brain Anatomy
 What is a Concussion ?
Linear vs Rotational

22. CLOWNEY

23. STEVE RIDLEY

24.  Causes
 Facts
 Recognizing A Possible Concussion
 Signs & Symptoms of Concussions
 Risk Factors

25.  Complications
 Long-Term Consequences of Multiple
Concussions
 Tests and Diagnosis
 Treatment and Drugs
 Understanding Recovery

26.  Return to Participation
- Return to Learn
- Return to Activity
 Prevention
 The Future
 Other Head Injuries

27. CBS THIS MORNING

28. MODULE #15 ASSESSMENT
 trained thousands of coaches to date
 course needs some changes
 more interaction
 more impact videos
 additional case studies
 latest updates in the assessment and treatment

29. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
 Julie Peters, Executive Director, BIAC
 Vicky Graham, CT Task Force
 Mark McCarthy, former CT Task Force

30. “THANK YOU”