Appointed by Governor: Rebecca Bethea; Frank P. Dawson IV, M.D.; Kayla Harris; David A. Klossner, Ph.D.; Dominic A. Lanzo, M.D.; Andrew E. Lincoln, Sc.D.; DeToiya McAliley; Christina Morganti, M.D.; Davia L. Procida; Megan Rich; David M. Scrivener; Maria Trent, M.D.
Appointed by Senate President: one vacancy
Appointed by House Speaker: Kathleen M. Dumais
Appointed by Secretary of Health & Mental Hygiene: Cheryl D. De Pinto, M.D.
Appointed by Chair, State Board of Education: Donna Hill Staton, Esq.
Staff: Edward F. (Ned) Sparks
c/o State Dept. of Education
Nancy S. Grasmick State Education Building, 200 West Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201 - 2595
(410) 767-0376
e-mail: edward.sparks@maryland.gov
In July 2014, the Task Force to Study Sports Injuries in High School Female Athletes was authorized (Chapter 653, Acts of 2014).
First, the Task Force is to review current medical research on the sports injuries of female high school athletes, including concussion, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), shoulder, and orthopedic ankle injuries. Next, the Task Force will compare the rate of injuries to high school female athletes to that of high school male athletes. Further, the Task Force will consider ways to reduce sports injuries to female high school athletes, including preventive measures such as protective equipement and conditioning exercises. It also will establish standard protocols for returning to play after an injury, as well as treatment plans. Statutes and regulations from other states designed to prevent a higher injury rate for female high school athletes will be examined, and the Task Force will note whether such statutes or regulations are needed in Maryland. Finally, the Task Force is to recommend policies to reduce injuries of female high school athletes, such as fewer and shorter practices; restricting athletic manuevers known to cause injuries, such as heading a soccer ball; requiring more protective gear; and promoting warm-up programs with specific neuromuscular and proprioceptive training techniques.
In December 2014, the Task Force submitted its interim report to the Governor and General Assembly.
Authorization for the Task Force ends December 31, 2015.
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