Public Acts Regarding Steroids, Supplements, Hazing and Concussions
PUBLIC ACT 31 (1990) REQUIRES NOTICE THAT POSSESSION/USE OF STEROIDS IS A CRIME
In 1990, the Michigan Legislature enacted Public Law 31 which requires athletic service providers – including both educational and recreational athletic facilities – to post a notice that warns that any person who uses or knowingly possesses an androgenic anabolic steroid violates Michigan law and is punishable by imprisonment and fine.
PUBLIC ACT 187 (1999) PROHIBITS PROMOTION/DISTRIBUTION OF PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING SUPPLEMENTS
Michigan public school employees and volunteers are prohibited by Public Law 187 from promoting or supplying dietary supplements which carry claims of enhanced athletic performance. The Law covers androstenedione, creatine, and any compound labeled as performance-enhancing. See MCL 380.1317.
PUBLIC ACTS 111 AND 112 (2004) PROHIBIT AND PENALIZE HAZING
In 2004, the Michigan Legislature enacted legislation that prohibits hazing activities at educational institutions and provides penalties.
Hazing is defined in the law as an intentional, knowing or reckless act by a person who acted alone or with others that was directed against an individual and that person knew or should have known would endanger the physical health or safety of the individual, and that was done for the purpose of affiliation with, participation in, or maintaining membership in any organization. The law does not apply to an activity that was normal and customary in an athletic program sanctioned by the educational institution.
If the violation resulted in physical injury, the person would be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 93 days, a fine of not more than $1,000, or both. A violation resulting in impairment of a body function would be a felony resulting in imprisonment of up to five years and a fine up to $2,500, or both. A violation resulting in death of the person hazed would be punishable by up to 15 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $10,000 or both.
PUBLIC ACT 215 (2006) BANNED DRUGS
The law requires all public school districts and academies to include in their local codes of conduct that possession or use of any National Collegiate Athletic Association banned drug is not permitted and shall subject the student to the same penalties that the school district has established for possession/use of tobacco, alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs. NCAA Banned Substances
- The board of a school district or board of directors of a public school academy shall ensure that its policies concerning a pupil's eligibility for participation in interscholastic athletics include use of a performance-enhancing substance by the pupil as a violation that will affect a pupil's eligibility, as determined by the board or board of directors. The governing body of a nonpublic school is encouraged to adopt an eligibility policy that meets the requirements of this section.
- For the purposes of this section, the Department of Community Health shall develop, periodically update and make available to school districts, public school academies and nonpublic schools a list of performance-enhancing substances. The Department of Community Health shall base the list on the list of banned drugs contained in the Bylaws of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
PUBLIC ACTS 342 AND 343 (2012) CONCUSSION AWARENESS IN NON-MHSAA SPORTS ACTIVITIES
The law mandates that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services establish a concussion awareness website for youth sports sponsoring organizations (including schools) with educational material in non-MHSAA sports activities including physical education, intramurals, out-of-season activities, as well as out-of-season camps or clinics.
- Adult coaches must complete a one-time designated online concussion awareness course and the sponsoring organization maintain a record of completion.
- Students and parents must review concussion material and the organization maintain an acknowledgement of this material until age 18 or the student discontinues the activity.
- Participants with a suspected concussion must be withheld from activity and evaluated by an appropriate health care provider and not be returned to activity until written approval is provided by an appropriate health care provider. For MHSAA practices and competition, an M.D., D.O., Physician’s Assistant or Nurse Practitioner must provide written return to play. See MHSAA Concussion Protocol on Page 115.
The MDHHS Website is accessible through MHSAA.com Health & Safety Page or directly at
michigan.gov/sportsconcussion.
PUBLIC ACT 12 (2014) CARDIAC EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN
The law mandates that all public schools adopt and implement a cardiac emergency response plan that addresses the following:
- Use and regular maintenance of automated external defibrillators (AEDs)
- Activation of a cardiac emergency response team.
- A plan for communication throughout the school campus.
- A training plan for use or automated external defibrillators and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Integration of the local emergency response system with the school’s emergency plans.
- Annual review and evaluation of the cardia emergency response plan.
PUBLIC ACT 388 (2016) CPR IN SCHOOLS
The law requires that all public schools incorporate training, at a minimum, in hands-only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) into any health curriculum offered between 7th and 12th grades. The three main requirements are:
- The training must be based on the American Heart Association, American Red Cross or another nationally recognized organization’s evidence-based guidelines.
- The training must include hands-on-a-manikin practice. Watching a training DVD alone is not sufficient to meet the requirements of this law.
- The training must include education on Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). The training does not need to be hands-on-an-AED practice, but instead simply needs to be education on AEDs. For example, education regarding what they look like, how they work and why they are needed if someone is suffering a cardiac arrest.