Section 15-135 - Uniform modification(a) In this section, "student athlete" means a student enrolled at a public institution of higher education who participates in an intercollegiate athletic program at the institution.(b)(1) The governing body of a public institution of higher education shall allow a student athlete to modify the athletic or team uniform of the student athlete in a manner that makes the student athlete's attire more modest to conform to: (i) The requirements or preferences of the student athlete's religion or culture; or(ii) The student athlete's own preferences for modesty.(2) A student athlete may not be required to receive approval from a coach, an administrator, or the governing body of the public institution of higher education before making the uniform modification.(c)(1) A modification to an athletic or team uniform may include the wearing of: (i) A head covering worn for religious reasons, including a Muslim hijab, Jewish kippah, or Sikh dastar;(2) A modification to an athletic or team uniform may not:(i) Interfere with the movement of the student athlete; or(ii) Pose a safety hazard to the student athlete, other student athletes, or others.(3) A student athlete may modify the uniform headgear if the modified headgear:(i) Is black, white, the predominant color of the uniform, or the same color as that worn by all players on the team;(ii) Does not cover any part of the face, unless required for the safety of the wearer;(iii) Is not dangerous to the student athlete, other student athletes, or others;(iv) Does not have opening or closing elements around the face or neck; and(v) Does not have parts protruding from its surface.(d)(1) A student athlete is responsible for all costs associated with the modification of the student athlete's athletic or team uniform under this section.(2) This subsection may not be construed to prohibit a public institution of higher education from providing the uniform modification to the student.Added by 2022 Md. Laws, Ch. 557, Sec. 1, eff. 7/1/2022.Added by 2022 Md. Laws, Ch. 556, Sec. 1, eff. 7/1/2022.