title: Legislation for Youth Sport Concussion in Canada: Review, Conceptual Framework, and Recommendations.
abstract: In this article, we conduct a review of introduced and enacted youth concussion legislation in Canada and present a conceptual framework and recommendations for future youth sport concussion laws. We conducted online searches of federal, provincial, and territorial legislatures to identify youth concussion bills that were introduced or successfully enacted into law. Internet searches were carried out from July 26 and 27, 2016. Online searches identified six youth concussion bills that were introduced in provincial legislatures, including two in Ontario and Nova Scotia and one each in British Columbia and Quebec. One of these bills (Ontario Bill 149, Rowan's Law Advisory Committee Act, 2016) was enacted into provincial law; it is not actual concussion legislation, but rather a framework for possible enactment of legislation. Two bills have been introduced in federal parliament but neither bill has been enacted into law. At present, there is no provincial or federal concussion legislation that directly legislates concussion education, prevention, management, or policy in youth sports in Canada. The conceptual framework and recommendations presented here should be used to guide the design and implementation of future youth sport concussion laws in Canada.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Pediatrics and Child Health,University of Manitoba,Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba,Winnipeg,Manitoba,Canada.
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Pediatrics and Child Health,University of Manitoba,Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba,Winnipeg,Manitoba,Canada.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.affiliation: 7Concussion North,Barrie,Ontario,Canada.
authors.forename: Shannon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bauman
authors.affiliation: 8Department of Surgery,Division of Neurosurgery,University of Toronto,Toronto Western Hospital,Canadian Concussion Centre,Toronto,Ontario,Canada.
authors.forename: Charles H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Tator
mesh_terms: D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D001955:British Columbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006287:Health Planning Guidelines; D006801:Humans; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000379:methods; D009674:Nova Scotia / Q000453:epidemiology; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D011792:Quebec / Q000453:epidemiology; D000067009:Youth Sports / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*
keywords: Law; Legislation; Return-to-play; Sports; Sports-related concussion; Youth