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Bill

HB 837

Education – Student Athletic Activities – Physical Examinations and Cardiovascular Prescreening

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Regina Boyce and 4 co-sponsors

Maryland bill requires public schools to perform cardiovascular prescreening and physicals before student athletic participation to prevent sudden cardiac events.

Hearing 2/25 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · HB 837

Legislative bill overview

HB 837 requires Maryland public schools to conduct cardiovascular prescreening assessments and physical examinations before students participate in athletic activities. The bill establishes standardized health screening protocols to identify students with potential heart conditions or other health risks that could pose dangers during sports participation.

Why is this important

Sudden cardiac death in young athletes, while rare, is a leading cause of non-traumatic death in student-athletes. Early identification of cardiovascular abnormalities through prescreening can prevent tragic outcomes and allow for medical intervention or activity restrictions. This addresses a documented public health concern in youth sports while potentially reducing liability for schools.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and resource burden: Schools may face significant expenses implementing comprehensive cardiovascular screening programs, including staff training, equipment, and potentially physician involvement, raising questions about funding mechanisms
  • Medical accuracy and false positives: Overly broad screening could flag healthy students as at-risk, leading to unnecessary medical referrals, additional costs for families, and potentially discouraging athletic participation
  • Scope and feasibility: The bill's specific screening requirements are not detailed in available information; unclear standards could create implementation challenges and inconsistencies across districts

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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