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*hb0837*
HOUSE BILL 837
F1, J1 6lr1794
CF SB 593
By: Delegates Ebersole, Feldmark, Boyce, Fair, and Palakovich Carr
Introduced and read first time: February 4, 2026
Assigned to: Ways and Means
Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
House action: Adopted
Read second time: March 9, 2026
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Education – Student Athletic Activities – Physical Examinations and 2
Cardiovascular Prescreening 3
FOR the purpose of requiring a certain physical examination used to determine the physical 4
fitness of a student seeking to participate in interscholastic sports to include a 5
certain cardiovascular prescreening; requiring cer tain health care providers who 6
perform certain physical examinations for students participating in interscholastic 7
sports to include a cardiovascular prescreening as part of the examination; requiring 8
the State Department of Education, in consultation with the Maryland Department 9
of Health to develop certain guidelines; requiring certain nonpublic schools that offer 10
athletic activities for students to develop policies and programs to provide certain 11
information on sudden cardiac arrest to certain persons pa rticipating in the 12
nonpublic school’s athletic programs; requiring a certain physical examination for 13
student participation in an interscholastic sport to include a cardiovascular 14
prescreening under certain circumstances; requiring an individual performing a 15
cardiovascular prescreening to make certain notices under certain circumstances; 16
and generally relating to student athletic activities, physical examinations, and 17
cardiovascular prescreening for interscholastic sports. 18
BY adding to 19
Article – Education 20
Section 7–402.1 21
Annotated Code of Maryland 22
(2025 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 23
2 HOUSE BILL 837
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 1
Article – Education 2
Section 7–436 3
Annotated Code of Maryland 4
(2025 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 5
BY adding to 6
Article – Education 7
Section 7–436.1 8
Annotated Code of Maryland 9
(2025 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 10
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 11
Article – Health – General 12
Section 14–501(a)(1), (3), and (5) and (b) 13
Annotated Code of Maryland 14
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 15
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 16
Article – Health – General 17
Section 14–501(a)(4) 18
Annotated Code of Maryland 19
(2023 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 20
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 21
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 22
Article – Education 23
7–402.1. 24
(A) IN THIS SECTION, “CARDIOVASCULAR PRESCREENING” MEANS A SET OF 25
TESTS AND EXAMINATIONS DESIGNED TO ASSESS AN INDIVIDUAL’S HEART HEALTH, 26
IDENTIFY RISK FACTOR S FOR HEART DISEASE , AND DETECT ANY UNDER LYING 27
CARDIOVASCULAR ABNORMALITIES BEFORE SYMPTOMS APPEAR, INCLUDING: 28
(1) A TARGETED PERSONAL AND FAMILY HISTORY; AND 29
(2) A PHYSICAL EXAMINATION BASED ON NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED, 30
EVIDENCE–BASED GUIDELINES REC OMMENDED BY ORGANIZA TIONS FOCUSED ON 31
CARDIOVASCULAR CARE IN PEDIATRIC POPULATIONS. 32
(B) THIS SECTION APPLIES TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS 33
THAT HOLD A CERTIFIC ATE OF APPROVAL ISSU ED BY THE STATE BOARD UNDER § 34
2–206 OF THIS ARTICLE THAT REQUIRES STUDENTS TO RECEIVE A PHYSICAL 35
HOUSE BILL 837 3
EXAMINATION DETERMIN ING PHYSICAL FITNESS TO PARTICIPATE IN 1
INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS. 2
(C) A PHYSICAL EXAMINATION OF A STUDENT USED TO DETERMINE THE 3
STUDENT’S PHYSICAL FITNESS T O PART ICIPATE IN INTERSCHO LASTIC SPORTS , 4
INCLUDING A TRY –OUT, PRACTICE, OR CONTEST OF A SCHO OL TEAM , SHALL 5
INCLUDE A CARDIOVASCULAR PRESCREENING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION 6
BEFORE THE STUDENT PARTICIPATES IN AN INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORT. 7
(D) (1) (I) BEGINNING IN THE 2026–2027 SCHOOL YEAR, A QUALIFIED 8
HEALTH CARE PROVIDER WHO PERFORMS PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS UNDER § 7–402 9
OF THIS SUBTITLE FOR STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS OR 10
FOR A NONPUBLIC SCHO OL STUDENT , SHALL INCLUDE A CARD IOVASCULAR 11
PRESCREENING AS A PART OF THE EXAMINATION. 12
(II) A CARDIOVASCULAR PRESC REENING MAY NOT BE 13
CONDUCTED EARLIER TH AN THE 90–DAY PERIOD BEFORE TH E FIRST DAY OF THE 14
SCHOOL YEAR IN WHICH THE STUDENT INTENDS TO PARTICIPATE IN 15
INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS. 16
(2) IF A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER DETERM INES THAT A STUDENT ’S 17
CARDIOVASCULAR PRESC REENING HAS A POSITI VE FINDING , THE HEALTH CARE 18
PROVIDER SHOULD DETE RMINE WHETHER A REFE RRAL TO A CARDIOLOGI ST FOR 19
FURTHER EVALUATION AND TESTING IS NECESSARY. 20
(E) THE DEPARTMENT, IN CONSULTAT ION WITH THE MARYLAND 21
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, SHALL DEVELOP GUIDEL INES TO INCREASE HEA LTH 22
CARE PROVIDER KNOWLE DGE AND AWARENESS OF CARDIOVASCULAR 23
PRESCREENING FOR CHI LDREN PARTICIPATING IN YOUTH SPORTS , INCLUDING 24
POLICIES, PROGRAMS, TRAINING, AND CONTINUING EDUCATION ON: 25
(1) HOW TO COMPLETE A CAR DIOVASCULAR PRESCREE NING, 26
INCLUDING COLLECTING A FAMILY HISTORY AND PERSONAL REPORTS OF 27
SYMPTOMS; 28
(2) IDENTIFYING EARLY SIG NS OF CARDIAC ARREST THROUGH 29
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION; AND 30
(3) REFERRAL PROCEDURES FOR POSITIVE FINDINGS. 31
(F) (1) BEGINNING IN THE 2026–2027 SCHOOL YEAR , EACH PUBLIC 32
SCHOOL SHALL REPORT TO THE COUNTY BOARD OR COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT 33
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO: 34
4 HOUSE BILL 837
(I) HAD A PHYSICAL EXAMIN ATION TO PARTICIPATE IN 1
INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS; 2
(II) HAD A PHYSICAL EXAMIN ATION THAT INCLUDED A 3
CARDIOVASCULAR PRESCREENING TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS; 4
AND 5
(III) WERE GIVEN A REFERRAL TO A CARDIOLOGIST FO R 6
FURTHER EVALUATION A ND TESTING RESULTING FROM A CARDIOVASCULA R 7
PRESCREENING. 8
(2) THE COUNTY BOARD OR C OUNTY HEALTH DEPARTM ENT SHALL 9
REPORT THE INFORMATION OBTAINED UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION 10
TO THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH BY THE DATE ES TABLISHED THE 11
MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. 12
(G) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 31 EACH YEAR, THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT 13
OF HEALTH SHALL PUBLISH A REPORT ON ITS WEBSITE: 14
(1) LISTING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO: 15
(I) HAD A PHYSICAL EXAMIN ATION TO PARTICIPATE IN 16
INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS; 17
(II) HAD A PHYSICAL EXAMIN ATION THAT INCLUDED A 18
CARDIOVASCULAR PRESCREENING TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS; 19
AND 20
(III) WERE GIVEN A REFERRAL TO A CARDIOLOGIST FO R 21
FURTHER EVALUATION A ND TESTING RESULTING FROM A CARDIOVASCULA R 22
PRESCREENING; AND 23
(2) ANALYZING THE OUTCOM ES OF THE CARDIOVASC ULAR 24
PRESCREENING REQUIRE MENTS, INCLUDING UTILIZATIO N AND UPTAKE BY 25
CLINICIANS, THE PROPORTION OF POSITIVE SCREENINGS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS 26
FOR ANY ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES. 27
(H) THE DEPARTMENT, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE MARYLAND 28
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, SHALL ADOPT REGULATI ONS TO IMPLEMENT THI S 29
SECTION. 30
7–436. 31
HOUSE BILL 837 5
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 1
(2) (i) “Athletic activity” means: 2
1. Interscholastic athletics; 3
2. An athletic contest or competition that is sponsored by or 4
associated with a school; and 5
3. Practices and scrimmages. 6
(ii) “Athletic activity” includes cheerleading and sports sponsored by 7
school–affiliated organizations. 8
(3) “Sudden cardiac arrest” means a condition in which the heart suddenly 9
and unexpectedly stops beating. 10
(4) “Youth sports program” means a program organized for recreational 11
athletic competition or instruction for participants who are under the age of 19 years. 12
(b) Nothing in this section may be construed to create, establish, expand, reduce, 13
contract, or eliminate any civil liability on the part of a county board employee, school 14
employee, or youth sports program volunteer. 15
(c) (1) The Department shall develop policies and implement a pr ogram to 16
provide awareness to coaches, school personnel, students, and the parents or guardians of 17
students, in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Health, each county board, the 18
Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association, the Marylan d Athletic Trainers’ 19
Association, Parent Heart Watch, and licensed health care providers who treat heart 20
issues, on: 21
(i) The nature and warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest, including 22
fainting, difficulty breathing, chest pains, dizziness, and abnormal heart rate; and 23
(ii) The risks associated with continuing to play or practice after 24
experiencing a symptom of sudden cardiac arrest. 25
(2) The program shall include a process to verify that a coach has received 26
information on the program developed under paragraph (1) of this subsection. 27
(3) (i) Before a student enrolled in a public school system in the State 28
may participate in an authorized athletic activity, the county board shall provide a sudden 29
cardiac arrest symptoms and warning signs information sheet to the student and a parent 30
or guardian of the student. 31
6 HOUSE BILL 837
(ii) The student and the parent or guardian of the student shall sign 1
a statement acknowledging receipt of the information sheet. 2
(iii) The Department shall create the inform ation sheet and 3
acknowledgment statement required under this paragraph. 4
(4) The Department may use materials available from the Centers for 5
Disease Control and Prevention, Parent Heart Watch, Sudden Arrhythmia Death 6
Syndromes Foundation, or any other ap propriate entity to carry out the requirements of 7
this subsection. 8
(d) A public school may hold an informational meeting before the start of each 9
athletic season regarding the symptoms and warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest. 10
(e) (1) Before an individual participates in an authorized athletic activity on 11
school property, the county board shall provide, or require that a third party provide: 12
(i) Information on sudden cardiac arrest to the individual and, if 13
applicable, a parent or guardian of the individual; and 14
(ii) Notice that acknowledgment of the receipt of the information by 15
the individual and, if applicable, the parent or guardian of the individual, is required. 16
(2) The information required under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall 17
be in the form of: 18
(i) A separate information sheet; or 19
(ii) A notice on the registration form for a youth sports program 20
stating that information on sudden cardiac arrest is available, including directions on how 21
to receive the information electronically. 22
(3) The individual and, if applicable, the parent or guardian of the 23
individual shall: 24
(i) Acknowledge receipt of the information by: 25
1. Signature; 26
2. Checking an acknowledgment box on the registration 27
form; or 28
3. Another method of written or electronic acknowledgment; 29
and 30
(ii) Return the acknowledgment to the county board or third party. 31
HOUSE BILL 837 7
(f) (1) A youth sports program that uses a public school facility shall provide 1
annually to the county board or the board’s agent a statement of intent to comply for all its 2
athletic activities with the requirements of subsection (e) of this section. 3
(2) A youth sports program that does not use a public school facility is 4
encouraged to follow the guidelines of this section. 5
(3) A NONPUBLIC SCHOOL THAT HOLDS A CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL 6
ISSUED BY THE STATE BOARD UNDER § 2–206 OF THIS ARTICLE SHAL L DEVELOP 7
POLICIES AND PROGRAM S TO IMPLEMENT THE R EQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION 8
FOR ITS STUDENT ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES. 9
7–436.1. 10
(A) IN THIS SECTION, “CARDIOVASCULAR PRESCREENING” MEANS A SET OF 11
QUESTIONS DESIGNED TO ASSESS AN INDIVIDUAL’S HEART HEALTH, IDENTIFY RISK 12
FACTORS FOR HEART DI SEASE, AND DETECT ANY UNDER LYING CARDIOVASCULAR 13
ABNORMALITIES BEFORE SYMPTOMS APPEAR, INCLUDING: 14
(1) A TARGETED PERSONAL AND FAMILY HISTORY; AND 15
(2) A PHYSICAL EXAMINATION BASED ON NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED, 16
EVIDENCE–BASED GUIDELINES REC OMMENDED BY ORGANIZA TIONS FOCUSED ON 17
CARDIOVASCULAR CARE IN PEDIATRIC POPULATIONS. 18
(B) THIS SECTION APPLIES TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS 19
THAT HOLD A CERTIFIC ATE OF APPROVAL ISSU ED BY THE STATE BOARD UNDER § 20
2–206 OF THIS ARTICLE. 21
(C) (1) SUBJECT TO THE REQUIR EMENTS OF THIS SUBSE CTION, A 22
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION OF A STUDENT USED TO DETERMINE THE STUDEN T’S 23
PHYSICAL FITNESS TO PARTICIPATE IN AN INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORT, INCLUDING A 24
TRY–OUT, PRACTICE, OR CONTEST OF A SCHO OL TEAM , SHALL INCLUDE A FREE 25
CARDIOVASCULAR PRESCREENING IN ACCORDANC E WITH THIS SECTION BEFORE 26
THE STUDENT PARTICIPATES IN THE INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORT. 27
(2) THE CARDIOVASCULAR PR ESCREENING SHALL BE OFFERED AS 28
PART OF THE PROCESS THE SCHOOL REQUIRES FOR A PHYSICAL EXAMI NATION 29
BEFORE A STUDENT PARTICIPATES IN INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS. 30
(3) A CARDIOVASCULAR PRESC REENING IS NOT REQUI RED UNDER 31
THIS SECTION IF: 32
8 HOUSE BILL 837
(I) THE SCHOOL OR LOCAL S CHOOL SYSTEM DOES NO T 1
REQUIRE A PHYSICAL E XAMINATION BEFORE A STUDENT PARTICIPATES IN 2
INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS; OR 3
(II) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (4) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THE 4
CARDIOVASCULAR PRESCREENING IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR FREE. 5
(4) THIS SUBSECTION MAY N OT BE CONSTRUED TO R EQUIRE A 6
HEALTH INSURER OR HE ALTH CARE PROVIDER T O PROVIDE A PHYSICAL 7
EXAMINATION OR CARDIOVASCULAR PRESCREENING TO A STUDENT AT NO COST. 8
(D) (1) A CARDIOVASCULAR PRESC REENING MAY NOT BE C ONDUCTED 9
EARLIER THAN 1 YEAR BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF THE SCHOOL YEAR IN WHICH THE 10
STUDENT INTENDS TO PARTICIPATE IN AN INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORT. 11
(2) IF A CARDIOVASCULAR PRESCREENING HAS A POSITIVE FINDING, 12
THE INDIVIDUAL ADMIN ISTERING THE PRESCRE ENING SHALL NOTIFY T HE 13
FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL RISKS OF PARTICIPATING IN AN 14
INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORT: 15
(I) THE STUDENT’S PARENT OR GUARDIAN; AND 16
(II) IF THE STUDENT IS AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD, THE STUDENT. 17
(E) THE DEPARTMENT, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE MARYLAND 18
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, MAY ADOPT REGULATION S TO IMPLEMENT THIS 19
SECTION. 20
Article – Health – General 21
14–501. 22
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 23
(3) “Sudden cardiac arrest” means a condition in which the heart suddenly 24
and unexpectedly stops beating. 25
(4) “Youth athlete” means an individual who participates in an athletic 26
activity in association with a youth sports program conducted: 27
(i) At a public school facility; [or] 28
(ii) AT A FACILITY OF A NO NPUBLIC SCHOOL THAT HOLDS A 29
CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL ISSUED BY THE STATE BOARD UNDER § 2–206 OF THE 30
EDUCATION ARTICLE; OR 31
HOUSE BILL 837 9
(III) By a recreational athletic organization. 1
(5) “Youth sports program” means a program organized for recreational 2
athletic competition or instruction for participants who are under the age of 19 years. 3
(b) (1) A youth sports program shall make available information on 4
concussions, head injuries, and sudden cardiac arrest developed by the State Department 5
of Education under §§ 7–433 and 7–436 of the Education Article to coaches, youth athletes, 6
and the parents or guardians of youth athletes. 7
(2) A coach of a youth sports program shall review the information provided 8
in paragraph (1) of this subsection. 9
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 10
1, 2026. 11
Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.