(a) (1) An athletic trainer may assume the duties under an evaluation and treatment protocol on the date that the Board acknowledges receipt of the completed evaluation and treatment protocol appropriate to the scope of practice if the protocol is given preliminary approval by Board staff and:

(i) The evaluation and treatment protocol does not include specialized tasks; or

(ii) The evaluation and treatment protocol includes specialized tasks that the Board previously has approved under § 14-5D-11 of this subtitle.

(2) If an evaluation and treatment protocol includes specialized tasks that have not been previously approved by the Board under § 14-5D-11 of this subtitle, an athletic trainer may only perform the specialized task after receiving written approval from the Board.

(b) The Board may disapprove an evaluation and treatment protocol or a specialized task included in the evaluation and treatment protocol if the Board determines that:

(1) The evaluation and treatment protocol does not meet the requirements of § 14-5D-11(c) of this subtitle;

(2) The athletic trainer is unable to perform the specialized task safely; or

(3) The specialized task is outside the practice scope of an athletic trainer.

(c) If the Board disapproves an evaluation and treatment protocol or a specialized task included in an evaluation and treatment protocol, the Board shall send to the primary supervising physician and the athletic trainer written notice of the disapproval.

(d) An athletic trainer who receives notice of a disapproval under subsection (c) of this section shall immediately cease practicing under the evaluation and treatment protocol or performing the specialized task.

(e) An individual member of the Board is not civilly liable for any act or omission relating to the approval, modification, or disapproval of an evaluation and treatment protocol.