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HB1393 would expand Maryland’s youth sports safety requirements by adding new registration, screening, training, and disclosure obligations for youth sports program personnel and by strengthening parent/guardian notice requirements. The bill applies to youth sports programs below the high school level and requires programs to maintain and annually update a registry of coaches, officials, athletic trainers, team administrators, and staff members who participate in the program.
Under the bill, each listed personnel member must have a valid photo ID on file and must either complete a criminal history records check or a commercial screening that includes identity verification, a nationwide criminal and sex offender registry search, and at least one county criminal record search. Personnel must also document annual training in heat illness recognition, concussion awareness, child safety, and contact-level best practices, and they must renew registration each year before participating. Proof of registration must be displayed to enter the playing area and be available for inspection on request.
The bill amends Maryland Health-General law governing youth sports concussion and safety protocols and adds a new section requiring youth sports programs to create and maintain personnel registries, collect screening and training documentation, and distribute safety information to families. It also requires programs to provide parents or guardians with information about head injuries, traumatic brain injury, heat illness, dehydration, and removal/return-to-play policies, and to obtain a signed acknowledgment of receipt. In addition, programs must provide their removal and return-to-play policy to personnel and parents and post it on their website if one is available. The bill would take effect October 1, 2025, and would affect youth sports organizations, coaches, volunteers, parents, and local governments that allow use of public facilities.
The available context shows no recorded votes or committee testimony, so there is no documented floor or hearing sentiment to summarize. Based on the bill text, the measure appears safety-focused and preventative, with an emphasis on concussion management, heat illness prevention, and child protection. The overall policy direction suggests support for stronger oversight of youth sports programs and clearer communication with families.
The main likely points of contention are the administrative and compliance burdens placed on youth sports programs, especially smaller or volunteer-run organizations, because the bill requires annual registration, background screening, training documentation, and public-facing policy posting. Another possible issue is the cost and feasibility of conducting the required screenings and maintaining the registry, as well as how strictly the proof-of-registration requirement would be enforced at events. Supporters would likely emphasize youth safety, while opponents may focus on operational burden and implementation costs.