SENATE DOCKET, NO. 752        FILED ON: 1/13/2009

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1792

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act relating to emergency care rendered on athletic fields..

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Chapter 111C is hereby amended by adding the following section after Section 21:— Section 21A. A Sideline Good Samaritan who, in good faith and without compensation, renders emergency care, including sideline or on-field care as a team health care provider, to an individual requiring emergency care as a result of having engaged in competitive sports, is not liable for civil damages as a result of acts or omissions by the Sideline Good Samaritan in rendering the emergency care, except acts or omissions that are outside the scope of the license held by the Good Samaritan. The liability limitation set forth herein applies to the rendering of emergency care to a minor even if the Sideline Good Samaritan does not obtain permission of the patient or guardian of the minor before the emergency is rendered.

SECTION 2. As used in this Section, the following words shall have the following meanings:—

“Sideline Good Samaritan” means a physician, physician’s assistant, certified athletic trainer, registered professional nurse, or any other licensed healthcare provider on scene attending an athletic event. 

“Competitive Sports” means sports conducted as part of a program sponsored by a public or private school that provides instruction from kindergarten through 12th grade, or a public or private college or university.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect immediately upon passage.