# Health - General (GHG)

## Title 14. General Day Care

### Subtitle 5. Youth Sports Programs

#### Section 14-501

(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 Sec.Sec. 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.

---

Md. Code Ann., Health-Gen. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)