2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 392 - Pupils › NRS 392.452 - Adoption of policy by school district for prevention and treatment of injuries to the head which may occur during participation in competitive sports; requirements of policy; annual acknowledgment of policy by parent and pupil. [Effective through June 30, 2024.] Adoption of policy for prevention and treatment of injuries to the head; requirements of policy; annual acknowledgment of policy by parent or legal guardian and pupil; provision of policy to parent or legal guardian and pupil upon notification of injury to the head; review and update of policy every 5 years; certain school employees to complete annual training on prevention and treatment of injuries to the head. [Effective July 1, 2024.]

1. For those competitive sports not governed by the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association pursuant to chapter 385B of NRS, the board of trustees of each school district shall adopt a policy concerning the prevention and treatment of injuries to the head which may occur during a pupil’s participation in competitive sports within the school district, including, without limitation, a concussion of the brain. To the extent practicable, the policy must be consistent with the policy adopted by the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association pursuant to NRS 385B.080. The policy must provide information concerning the nature and risk of injuries to the head which may occur during a pupil’s participation in competitive sports, including, without limitation, the risks associated with continuing to participate in competitive sports after sustaining such an injury.
2. The policy adopted pursuant to subsection 1 must require that if a pupil sustains or is suspected of sustaining an injury to the head while participating in competitive sports, the pupil:
(a) Must be immediately removed from the competitive sport; and
(b) May return to the competitive sport if the parent or legal guardian of the pupil provides a signed statement of a provider of health care indicating that the pupil is medically cleared for participation in the competitive sport and the date on which the pupil may return to the competitive sport.
3. Before a pupil participates in competitive sports within a school district, and on an annual basis thereafter, the pupil and his or her parent or legal guardian:
(a) Must be provided with a copy of the policy adopted pursuant to subsection 1; and
(b) Must sign a statement on a form prescribed by the board of trustees acknowledging that the pupil and his or her parent or guardian have read and understand the terms and conditions of the policy.
4. As used in this section, "provider of health care" means a physician or physician assistant licensed under chapter 630 or 633 of NRS, an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under chapter 632 of NRS, a physical therapist licensed under chapter 640 of NRS or an athletic trainer licensed under chapter 640B of NRS.
(Added to NRS by 2011, 785; A 2019, 141)
1. The board of trustees of each school district, the governing body of each charter school and the governing body of each university school for profoundly gifted pupils shall adopt a policy concerning the prevention and treatment of injuries to the head of a pupil, including, without limitation, a concussion of the brain. The policy must:
(a) Include at least the same or substantially similar provisions as the policies adopted by the Superintendent of Public Instruction pursuant to NRS 385.215 and the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association pursuant to NRS 385B.080; and
(b) Be modified as necessary to cover all pupils at a school who have or sustain, or are suspected of having or sustaining, an injury to the head, regardless of whether a pupil is at school or participating in an extracurricular activity when the injury or suspected injury occurs.
2. The policy adopted pursuant to subsection 1 must require that if a pupil has or sustains, or is suspected of having or sustaining, an injury to the head while participating in competitive sports, the pupil:
(a) Must be immediately removed from the competitive sport; and
(b) May return to the competitive sport if the parent or legal guardian of the pupil provides a signed statement of a provider of health care acting within his or her scope of practice indicating that the pupil is medically cleared for participation in the competitive sport and the date on which the pupil may return to the competitive sport.
3. Before a pupil participates in competitive sports within a school district or for a charter school or university school for profoundly gifted pupils, and on an annual basis thereafter, the board of trustees of a school district, the governing body of each charter school and the governing body of each university school for profoundly gifted pupils shall ensure that each pupil and his or her parent or legal guardian:
(a) Are provided with a copy of the policy adopted pursuant to subsection 1; and
(b) Sign a statement on a form prescribed by the board of trustees of the school district, governing body of the charter school or the governing body of the university school for profoundly gifted pupils, as applicable, acknowledging that the pupil, if capable, and his or her parent or guardian understand:
(1) That injuries to the head may occur during the participation of a pupil in interscholastic activities and events;
(2) The risks associated with participating in an activity or event in which a pupil may sustain an injury to the head;
(3) The risks associated with continuing to participate in an activity or event after a pupil has sustained an injury to the head; and
(4) That the policy adopted pursuant to subsection 1 and the educational information compiled pursuant to subsection 3 of NRS 385B.080 are available on the Internet website maintained by the school district, charter school or university school for profoundly gifted pupils in which the pupil is enrolled.
4. Upon notification that a pupil enrolled in a public school has sustained or is suspected of having sustained an injury to the head, the board of trustees of a school district, the governing body of each charter school and the governing body of each university school for profoundly gifted pupils, as applicable, shall ensure that the pupil and his or her parent or legal guardian are provided with a printed or electronic copy of the policy adopted pursuant to subsection 1.
5. Each public school, charter school and university school for profoundly gifted pupils shall post the policy adopted pursuant to subsection 1 and the educational information prepared pursuant to subsection 3 of NRS 385B.080 on an Internet website maintained by the school.
6. At least once every 5 years, the board of trustees of each school district, the governing body of each charter school and the governing body of each university school for profoundly gifted pupils shall:
(a) Review the policy adopted pursuant to subsection 1; and
(b) Update the policy to reflect current best practices in the prevention and treatment of injuries to the head.
7. Each employee of a public school who supports the academics or health, including, without limitation, mental or physical health, of a pupil who has sustained or is suspected of having sustained an injury to the head must annually complete training regarding the prevention and treatment of injuries to the head, which must include, without limitation, a review of the educational information compiled pursuant to subsection 3 of NRS 385B.080. Each public school shall maintain a record of the training required by this section which is completed by each employee of the public school and provide such a record upon request.
8. As used in this section, "provider of health care" means a physician or physician assistant licensed under chapter 630 or 633 of NRS, an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under chapter 632 of NRS, a physical therapist licensed under chapter 640 of NRS or an athletic trainer licensed under chapter 640B of NRS.
(Added to NRS by 2011, 785; A 2019, 141; 2023, 1364, effective July 1, 2024)