Rowan’s Law: Information for health care providers

On March 7, 2018, new legislation called Rowan’s Law (Concussion Safety), 2018, was enacted, setting out a framework for concussion prevention, detection, and management within amateur competitive sport.

The legislation applies to sport organizations (as defined under the Act), which includes:

• • public and private sport clubs
  • post-secondary institutions
  • municipalities throughout Ontario

Rowan’s Law includes requirements for the removal from and return to sport, which came into effect on January 1, 2022.

Athletes who have sustained a concussion, or are suspected of having sustained a concussion, must be removed from further training, practice, or competition (and cannot return to full participation in amateur competitive sport) until:

• • medically assessed
  • cleared to return to training, practice or competition by a physician or nurse practitioner

Under Rowan’s Law, physicians and nurse practitioners are specified as the only health care providers to medically assess and provide confirmation of medical clearance for athletes to return to unrestricted participation in amateur competitive sport.

More information about the changes that came into effect on January 1, 2022 can be found at: Rowan’s Law: Information for health care providers | ontario.ca

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