An Act to Update Youth Sports Concussion and Injury Prevention Protocols
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1042
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: BALDACCI, THERIAULT, RAFFERTY, BRENNAN, COSTAIN, DODGE

Legislative Document
No. 1042
S.P. 411
In Senate, March 7, 2023
An Act to Update Youth Sports Concussion and Injury Prevention 
Protocols
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator BALDACCI of Penobscot.
Cosponsored by Representative THERIAULT of Fort Kent and
Senator: RAFFERTY of York, Representatives: BRENNAN of Portland, COSTAIN of 
Plymouth, DODGE of Belfast.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  22 MRSA c. 279 is enacted to read:
CHAPTER 279
HEAD INJURY PREVENTION
§1700-E.  Head injury prevention
1. Definitions.  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the 
following terms have the following meanings.
A. "Athlete" means a person participating in an athletic activity.
B. "Athletic activity" means any of the following sports: baseball, basketball, bicycle 
motocross, boxing, competitive cheerleading, diving, equestrian activities, field 
hockey, football, full-contact martial arts, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, roller 
derby, rugby, skateboarding, skiing, soccer, softball, swimming, synchronized 
swimming, volleyball, water polo or wrestling.
C. "Head injury" means an injury to an athlete's head, including a concussion.
D. "Health care provider" means a licensed person who is trained in the evaluation and 
management of head injuries within the scope of the person's practice.
E. "Return-to-play protocol" means a graduated program to return an athlete to full 
participation in an athletic activity.
F. "Youth sports organization" means a public or private school, organization, business, 
nonprofit entity or local government entity that offers organized athletic activities, 
including training, camps or clubs, for, at least in part, athletes who have not attained 
years of age.
2. Sustained injury.  If an athlete is suspected of sustaining a head injury while 
participating in an athletic activity organized by a youth sports organization, a coach or 
administrator of the youth sports organization shall:
A. Immediately remove the athlete from participating in an athletic activity until the 
athlete receives written permission from a health care provider to return to the activity;
B. If the health care provider under paragraph A determines that the athlete suffered a 
head injury, ensure that the athlete completes a return-to-play protocol that lasts no 
fewer than 7 days and is supervised by a health care provider; and
C. If the athlete has not attained 18 years of age, notify the athlete's parent or guardian 
of the date and time of the injury, the signs and symptoms observed and any treatment 
provided to the athlete.
3. Provision of educational materials.  A youth sports organization shall provide 
educational information about head injuries described in subsection 4 in accordance with 
this subsection.  A youth sports organization shall annually provide:
A. An information sheet on head injuries to an athlete. The athlete shall sign the 
information sheet and, if the athlete has not attained 18 years of age, the athlete's parent 
or guardian shall sign the information sheet.  The athlete shall return the signed 
information sheet to the youth sports organization, including through electronic means.  
The athlete may not participate in an athletic activity until the youth sports organization 
receives the signed information sheet; and
B. An in-person or online head injury presentation and head injury educational 
materials to coaches and administrators of the youth sports organization.  A coach or 
administrator shall successfully complete the head injury presentation before 
supervising an athlete in an athletic activity.
4. Contents of educational materials.  Educational information provided in 
accordance with subsection 3 must include the following information:
A. Types of head injuries and potential consequences of head injuries;
B. Signs and symptoms of a head injury;
C. Best practices for removing an athlete from an athletic activity after a suspected 
head injury; and
D. The return-to-play protocol.
5. Procedures.  A youth sports organization shall establish procedures related to head 
injuries sustained during an athletic activity.  The procedures must include methods to 
ensure compliance with the requirements of subsections 2 and 3.
SUMMARY
This bill requires youth sports organizations, including schools, to follow specific 
protocols and provide education relating to head injuries sustained during athletic activities.