§ 115C-407.57.  Rules on concussions and head injuries.

(a) For the purpose of this section, a concussion is a traumatic brain injury caused by a direct or indirect impact to the head that results in disruption of normal brain function which may or may not result in loss of consciousness.

(b) With regard to middle schools and high schools, the State Board of Education shall adopt rules that provide for the following:

(1) All coaches, school nurses, athletic directors, first responders, volunteers, students who participate in interscholastic athletic activities, and the parents of those students shall receive, on an annual basis, a concussion and head injury information sheet. School employees, first responders, volunteers, and students must sign the sheet and return it to the coach before they can participate in interscholastic athletic activities, including tryouts, practices, or competition. Parents must sign the sheet and return it to the coach before their children can participate in any such interscholastic athletic activities. The signed sheets shall be maintained in accordance with subsection (c) of this section.

(2) If a student participating in an interscholastic athletic activity exhibits signs or symptoms consistent with a concussion, the student shall be removed from the activity at that time and shall not be allowed to return to play or practice that day. The student shall not return to play or practice on a subsequent day until the student is evaluated by and receives written clearance for such participation from one of the following:

a. A physician licensed under Article 1 of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes with training in concussion management.

b. A neuropsychologist licensed under Article 18A of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes with training in concussion management and working in consultation with a physician licensed under Article 1 of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes.

c. An athletic trainer licensed under Article 34 of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes.

d. A physician assistant, consistent with the limitations of G.S. 90-18.1.

e. A nurse practitioner, consistent with the limitations of G.S. 90-18.2.

(c) Each middle and high school shall maintain complete and accurate records of its compliance with the requirements of this section. (2023-133, s. 18(b).)