These really slipped under the radar, but Maryland not only enacted one bill, but two. Each chamber’s sponsored bill was accepted and signed into law by Governor Martin O’Mally on May 18th; each legislative piece will be in effect on July 1, 2011.
The Senate bill (MD sb0771e) and House bill (MD hb0858e), I believe to be, are the same; here are some highlights…
- Includes all athletic activities for those aged 19 and younger
- An informed consent that must be signed by parent/guardian and athlete
- Removal from game if overt signs and symptoms
- Cannot return until written clearance from “health care provider”
Maryland becomes the 15th state to enact concussion legislation, by our count.
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Maybe someone from MD can clarify what is meant by heath care provider in the approved bill. I know MD doesn’t have licensure for athletic trainers so who may clear an athlete?
That is a GREAT question…
Athletic Trainers will have licensure in the state of Maryland as of Oct. 1, 2011. It is unclear whether this will include ATCs as a provider. Current protocol is that any medical doctor or nurse practitioner may sign off, this does Not include Chiropractors or Physical Therapists.
This is the protocol my coworkers and I are currently using and plan to continue to use even after the licensure period had begun.