Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a bill on Thursday that put into law a rule which will keep athletes under the age of 18 from returning to an athletic event if they have suffered a concussion without a health care provider’s approval.

The Zackery Lystedt law, also known as House Bill 1824, was named after a 16-year-old Maple Valley student who suffered life-threatening injuries after returning to a football game following a concussion.

The new law will require districts to work with the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association to create a plan for educating coaches, players and parents on the issues surrounding head injuries.

View a copy of House Bill 1824 at http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo.