Maryland state Del. Terri Hill officially filed a bill that would prohibit children under age 14 from playing tackle football on public land, Hill’s office told The Washington Times.
The measure, first reported earlier in the week, would disallow tackle football programs for kids under 14 and require those 14 and older to first take a course about the risks of head injury from playing contact sports.
Hill earned an M.D. and worked as a plastic surgeon before running for public office. A Democrat from District 12, which represents parts of Baltimore County and Howard County, Hill has said she is not against football and is “not trying to stop” kids from playing sports, but wants to protect children’s health and well-being.
The bill has the backing of former NFL player Madieu Williams. Now a law student at the University of Baltimore, Williams is working an externship in Del. Hill’s office and helped her create the legislation.
The bill will also seek to bar checking in lacrosse and heading in soccer for participants under 14. Both of those instances also entail a player leading with his or her head to initiate some form of contact, which can lead to concussions.
New York and Illinois have introduced similar measures in their state assemblies this year.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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