Delegate Roberts and witnesses press for requirement of athletic trainer or ambulance at every high school football game

Delegate Denise Roberts introduced House Bill 9‑35, requiring a licensed athletic trainer or ambulance to be present at every high school football game in Maryland.

Roberts framed the bill as a safety measure for student athletes, recounting a family story of a catastrophic spinal injury to emphasize the stakes. She said seconds matter in emergencies and urged the committee to require immediate on‑site medical care.

Multiple witnesses testified in support. Jennifer Reiling, a long‑time secondary‑school athletic trainer, described prevention work athletic trainers perform — emergency action plans, equipment readiness (AEDs, cold‑water immersion), and practice drills — and gave examples where faster on‑site care would have improved outcomes. Mario Roberts (a survivor who suffered a catastrophic spinal injury in 1985) described being rescued by luck — an ambulance happened to be nearby — and told the panel that Washington, D.C., later required ambulances at high school football games.

Witnesses and the sponsor said the bill would not impose unnecessary burdens on schools but would provide critical, sometimes life‑saving care and reduce long‑term injury costs. Testimony cited estimates of very high lifetime costs for severe spinal cord injuries to underline the public‑health rationale.

No committee vote was recorded at the hearing. The record shows multiple supportive written and oral testimonies from athletic‑training and medical organizations; the bill awaits committee action and possible amendment to clarify funding or implementation mechanics.

Why it matters: proponents said the change would create statewide minimum medical safeguards at high‑risk athletic events; opponents or cost concerns were not recorded at the hearing but may appear in follow‑up.