Updated 7/15/24 by South Lakeland Baseball.
Please click the link below to access the required concussion training by all athletic coaches. This training is offered by the CDC and is FREE. Please keep a copy of your certificate that you receive at the end of the course. You may upload the certificate to the website which will remain in your profile as proof for future seasons, or you may bring a copy to your division director.
There is a Florida law, which is actually found under chapters outlining Criminal Procedures and Corrections at F.S.A. relating to concussions. Title XLVII, Section 943.0438 titled Athletic Coaches for Independent Sanctioning Authorities (“ISA”), which in part requires background screening of each current and prospective coach of an independent sanctioning authority. The statute defines an “ISA” as a private, non-governmental entity that organizes, operates, or co-ordinates a youth athletic team in the state if the team includes one or more minors and is not affiliated with a private school. The statute also defines athletic coach as someone who is authorized by an ISA to work as a coach, assistant coach or referee for 20 or more hours within a calendar year, whether for compensation or on a voluntary basis for an athletic team in the State of Florida and having contact with one or more minors on the youth athletic team. The law also provides that an “ISA” maintain documentation of all background screenings for a minimum period of at least five (5) years. An “ISA” shall develop guidelines to educate athletic coaches, officials, administrators and youth athletes and their parents or guardians of the nature and risk of concussion and head injury, adopt policies requiring the parent or guardian to sign an informed consent annually prior to any participation by the youth athlete and requiring immediate removal of a youth athlete suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury from any activity and prohibit a return to play or practice until a medical clearance is received from an appropriate health care practitioner.