§ 14-501

Maryland § 14-501

• Jurisdiction: Maryland
• Article ghg: Health - General
• Title: 14

Text

(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

(2) “Concussion” means a traumatic injury to the brain causing an immediate and, usually, short–lived change in mental status or an alteration of normal consciousness resulting from:

(i) A fall;

(ii) A violent blow to the head or body; or

(iii) The shaking or spinning of the head or body.

(3) “Sudden cardiac arrest” means a condition in which the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating.

(4) “Youth athlete” means an individual who participates in an athletic activity in association with a youth sports program conducted:

(i) At a public school facility; or

(ii) By a recreational athletic organization.

(5) “Youth sports program” means a program organized for recreational athletic competition or instruction for participants who are under the age of 19 years.

(b) (1) A youth sports program shall make available information on concussions, head injuries, and sudden cardiac arrest developed by the State Department of Education under §§ 7–433 and 7–436 of the Education Article to coaches, youth athletes, and the parents or guardians of youth athletes.

(2) A coach of a youth sports program shall review the information provided in paragraph (1) of this subsection.

(c) (1) A youth athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or other head injury in a practice or game shall be removed from play at that time.

(2) A youth athlete who has been removed from play may not return to play until the youth athlete has obtained written clearance from a licensed health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussions.

(d) Before a youth sports program may use a facility owned or operated by a local government, the local government shall provide notice to the youth sports program of the requirements of this section.