1. (a)

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

   2. (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:

      1. (i) A fall;
      2. (ii) A violent blow to the head or body; or
      3. (iii) The shaking or spinning of the head or body.
   3. (3) “Sudden cardiac arrest” means a condition in which the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating.

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

      1. (i) At a public school facility; or
      2. (ii) By a recreational athletic organization.
   5. (5) “Youth sports program” means a program organized for recreational athletic competition or instruction for participants who are under the age of 19 years.

2. (b)

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

3. (c)

   1. (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. (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.
4. (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.

Added by Acts 2011, c. 548, § 1, eff. July 1, 2011; Acts 2011, c. 549, § 1, eff. July 1, 2011. Amended by Acts 2011, c. 65, § 5, eff. April 12, 2011; Acts 2014, c. 403, § 1, eff. July 1, 2014.