HB0836 / SB0638

Public Schools – Student Athletics – Requirements and Reports
The Elijah Gorham Act
Sponsored by Delegate Lierman & Senator Hettleman

Why This Bill is Important

High school sports in Maryland have seen too many preventable injuries and tragedies. The Elijah Gorham Act is a critical step toward protecting our student-athletes and ensuring schools are prepared to respond to emergencies.

Two key tools are at the heart of this legislation:

  • Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs): Used to assist individuals experiencing cardiac arrest.
  • Cold Water Immersion (CWI) equipment: Essential for treating heat stroke.

 

Both cardiac arrest and heat stroke have claimed the lives of young athletes in Maryland. This legislation strengthens state law to:

  • Ensure AED and CWI equipment is accessible.
  • Require proper training for coaching staff.
  • Mandate the development and rehearsal of emergency action plans.

 

This bill is dedicated to Elijah Gorham, a 17-year-old Baltimore City Schools student-athlete who tragically passed away due to a brain injury sustained during a football game on September 18, 2021. The response to his injury was slow and inadequate, and his death was preventable.

What the Elijah Gorham Act Does

The Elijah Gorham Act aims to better equip schools to respond to sport-related injuries and emergencies. The bill includes the following requirements:

Emergency Action Plans:

 

  • Schools must develop venue-specific emergency action plans and post them online.
  • Plans must be shared with parents and guardians.
  • Coaching staff must rehearse these plans regularly.

 

Cold Water Immersion (CWI) Equipment:

  • Cooling modalities must be on-site for all school-sponsored athletic practices and events.
  • Coaching staff must be trained twice per year on CWI procedures to handle heat-related emergencies.

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs):

 

  • AEDs must be on-site for all school-sponsored athletic practices and events.
  • Coaching staff must undergo training on AED use twice per year.

 

Presence of Trained Staff

Coaching staff trained in AED and CWI procedures must be present at all school-sponsored athletic practices and events.

Student Education

Student-athletes must be educated on recognizing the signs of heat stroke, concussions, brain injuries, and related protocols.

Accountability and Reporting

The bill also requires county boards of education to submit comprehensive reports to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), including:

  • The number and locations of AED and CWI equipment.
  • A list of individuals trained in AED use, with training dates.
  • A list of individuals trained in CWI and heat acclimatization safety standards, with training dates.

Building a Safer Future for Maryland’s Student-Athletes

The Elijah Gorham Act ensures schools are better prepared to respond to emergencies, preventing unnecessary injuries and deaths. It strengthens the protections for our young athletes and provides critical training and resources to those responsible for their safety.

With this legislation, Maryland takes a significant step toward creating a safer environment for all student-athletes.

Support the Elijah Gorham Act and help protect Maryland’s students.