3.2.4.17 Concussion Management Plan. An active member institution shall have a concussion management plan for its student-athletes.  The plan shall include, but is not limited to, the following:

(a) An annual process that ensures student-athletes are educated about the signs and symptoms of concussion.  Student-athletes must acknowledge that they have received information about the signs and symptoms of concussion and that they have a responsibility to report concussion-related injuries and illnesses to a medical staff member;

(b) A process that ensures a student-athlete who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion shall be removed from athletics activities (e.g., competition, practice, conditioning sessions) and evaluated by a medical staff member (e.g., sports medicine staff, team physician) with experience in the evaluation and management of concussions;

(c) A policy that precludes a student-athlete diagnosed with a concussion from returning to athletics activity (e.g., competition, practice, conditioning sessions) for at least the remainder of that calendar day; and

(d) A policy that requires medical clearance for a student-athlete diagnosed with a concussion to return to the athletics activity (e.g., competition, practice, conditioning sessions) as determined by a physician (e.g., team physician) or the physician's designee.

3.2.4.17.1 Concussion Safety Protocol. [A] An institution shall submit its Concussion Safety Protocol to the Concussion Safety Protocol Committee by May 1 of each year. The protocol shall be consistent with the Inter-Association Consensus: Diagnosis and Management of Sport-Related Concussion Guidelines and shall include:

(a) Policies and procedures that meet the requirements of Constitution 3.2.4.17.

(b) Procedures for preparticipation baseline testing of each student athlete;

(c) Procedures for reducing exposure to head injuries;

(d) Procedures for education about concussion, including a policy that addresses return-to-learn;

(e) Procedures to ensure that proper and appropriate concussion management, consistent with best known practices and the Inter-Association Consensus: Diagnosis and Management of Sport-Related Concussion Guidelines, is made available to any student-athlete who has suffered a concussion;

(f) Procedures requiring that the process of identifying, removing from game or practice, and assessing a student-athlete for a possible concussion are reviewed annually; and

(g) A written certificate of compliance signed by the institution's athletics director.

3.2.4.17.1.1 Information to Concussion Safety Protocol Committee. [A] An institution shall provide information to the Concussion Safety Protocol Committee, as the committee may request, concerning any incident in which a student-athlete may have suffered a concussion.

21.7 Division I Cabinets and Committees.

[21.7.1 through 21.7.8 unchanged.]

21.7.9 Concussion Safety Protocol Committee. [A]

21.7.9.1 Composition. [A] The Concussion Safety Protocol Committee shall consist of six members. One member shall be appointed by the NCAA president. One member shall be appointed by each commissioner of the five conferences named in Constitution 5.3.2.1.1. Each representative shall be a medically-qualified individual who has appropriate knowledge and competence to fulfill the duties of the committee.

21.7.9.2 Term of Office. [A] A committee member may be removed at any time at the discretion of the appropriate appointing authority (NCAA president or specific conference commissioner).

21.7.9.3 Duties. [A] The committee shall:

(a) Review each institution's Concussion Safety Protocol for consistency with the requirements of Constitution 3.2.4.17.1 by June 30 of the calendar year in which it is submitted; and

(b) Provide guidance and updates concerning expectations and requirements for Concussion Safety Protocols and best practices for baseline testing, prevention, education, evaluation, and management of concussions in a manner that is consistent with the Inter-Association Consensus: Diagnosis and Management of Sport-Related Concussion Guidelines.