Bill description: HB 577 allows certain specially trained chiropractors to return a youth athlete to play following recovery from a concussion.

Rating: +1

Does it give government any new, additional, or expanded power to prohibit, restrict, or regulate activities in the free market? Conversely, does it eliminate or reduce government intervention in the market?

HB 577 amends Section 33-1625, Idaho Code, to allow a licensed chiropractic physician to evaluate athletes who have experienced a concussion and authorize them to return to play after recovery. Current law allows other medical professionals to do this but excludes chiropractors.

To meet the requirements of this subsection, the chiropractor must have "successfully completed a state board of chiropractic physicians-approved concussion management education program."

Such a program must include all of the following:

• Comprehensive concussion and other brain injury evaluation.
• Ongoing reassessment of patient.
• Recognition of atypical response to brain injury.
• Implementation of appropriate plan of care.
• Return to activity determination.
• Referral to appropriate health care provider as indicated.

(+1)

Analyst's Note: HB 577 is similar to HB 558 and HB 391.