MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - A new concussion law affecting all youth sports has been put into effect as of June 30th, in an effort to decrease concussion related injuries in children's sports throughout our state.

The law requires the immediate removal of an athlete from physical participation in an athletic activity who is suspected of having a concussion.

"Who makes the decision as to whether or not a kid comes out of a game if they're suspected of having a concussion, well it's the school because they have the responsibility to the person's well-being," explained John Johnson, MHSAA Communications Director.

"Ok the kid is removed from the game, what happens? The kid can't come back the rest of the day and can't come back on a subsequent day, to practice or play without the written permission of a doctor. And what's the penalty now if the kid comes back into the game without that kind of a sign off? Well the school forfeits the game that the kid plays in. If it happens more than once, they get kicked out of the state tournament. Those are the protocols that we have in place now and they contributed to the state law which went into effect this summer."