Maryland Statutes
Subtitle 4 - Health and Safety of Students
Section 7-436 - Maryland Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Act

(a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
        (2)    (i)    “Athletic activity” means:
                1.    Interscholastic athletics;
                2.    An athletic contest or competition that is sponsored by or associated with a school; and
                3.    Practices and scrimmages.
            (ii)    “Athletic activity” includes cheerleading and sports sponsored by school–affiliated organizations.
        (3)    “Sudden cardiac arrest” means a condition in which the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating.
        (4)    “Youth sports program” means a program organized for recreational athletic competition or instruction for participants who are under the age of 19 years.
    (b)    Nothing in this section may be construed to create, establish, expand, reduce, contract, or eliminate any civil liability on the part of a county board employee, school employee, or youth sports program volunteer.
    (c)    (1)    The Department shall develop policies and implement a program to provide awareness to coaches, school personnel, students, and the parents or guardians of students, in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Health, each county board, the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association, the Maryland Athletic Trainers’ Association, Parent Heart Watch, and licensed health care providers who treat heart issues, on:
            (i)    The nature and warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest, including fainting, difficulty breathing, chest pains, dizziness, and abnormal heart rate; and
            (ii)    The risks associated with continuing to play or practice after experiencing a symptom of sudden cardiac arrest.
        (2)    The program shall include a process to verify that a coach has received information on the program developed under paragraph (1) of this subsection.
        (3)    (i)    Before a student enrolled in a public school system in the State may participate in an authorized athletic activity, the county board shall provide a sudden cardiac arrest symptoms and warning signs information sheet to the student and a parent or guardian of the student.
            (ii)    The student and the parent or guardian of the student shall sign a statement acknowledging receipt of the information sheet.
            (iii)    The Department shall create the information sheet and acknowledgment statement required under this paragraph.
        (4)    The Department may use materials available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Parent Heart Watch, Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes Foundation, or any other appropriate entity to carry out the requirements of this subsection.
    (d)    A public school may hold an informational meeting before the start of each athletic season regarding the symptoms and warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest.
    (e)    (1)    Before an individual participates in an authorized athletic activity on school property, the county board shall provide, or require that a third party provide:
            (i)    Information on sudden cardiac arrest to the individual and, if applicable, a parent or guardian of the individual; and
            (ii)    Notice that acknowledgment of the receipt of the information by the individual and, if applicable, the parent or guardian of the individual, is required.
        (2)    The information required under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be in the form of:
            (i)    A separate information sheet; or
            (ii)    A notice on the registration form for a youth sports program stating that information on sudden cardiac arrest is available, including directions on how to receive the information electronically.
        (3)    The individual and, if applicable, the parent or guardian of the individual shall:
            (i)    Acknowledge receipt of the information by:
                1.    Signature;
                2.    Checking an acknowledgment box on the registration form; or
                3.    Another method of written or electronic acknowledgment; and
            (ii)    Return the acknowledgment to the county board or third party.
    (f)    (1)    A youth sports program that uses a public school facility shall provide annually to the county board or the board’s agent a statement of intent to comply for all its athletic activities with the requirements of subsection (e) of this section.
        (2)    A youth sports program that does not use a public school facility is encouraged to follow the guidelines of this section.

Structure Maryland Statutes