HB 1043

Abstract

Department of Education; recommendations on background check and training requirements for youth sports coaches and staff. Directs the Department of Education to make recommendations regarding appropriate background check and training requirements for coaches, staff members, and other volunteers of competitive sports leagues in which persons under the age of 18 participate. The bill requires the Department of Education to consult with child sexual assault victims advocates and youth competitive sports leagues in making its recommendations and to submit to the Governor and General Assembly a report of its recommendations by November 1, 2022.

Child abuse and neglect; background check and training requirements for youth sports coaches and staff. Requires youth sports leagues to (i) require all coaches, staff members, employees, and other volunteers who will be alone with, in control of, or supervising children to complete a fingerprint-based background check; (ii) provide to all coaches, staff members, employees, and other volunteers who will be alone with, in control of, or supervising children and the parent of any child participating in the sports league written notice of the duty of all coaches, directors, and persons 18 years of age or older employed by or volunteering with the sports league to report suspected child abuse or neglect, information regarding how to report suspected child abuse or neglect, an explanation of the penalties that may be imposed for failure to file a required report, contact information for the local department of social services, and the telephone number for the Department of Social Services' toll-free child abuse and neglect hotline; and (iii) require all paid coaches, staff members, and employees who will be alone with, in control of, or supervising children to complete no less than four hours of training annually regarding child abuse prevention and response and require all volunteers who will be alone with, in control of, or supervising children to complete no less than two hours of training annually regarding child abuse prevention and response. The bill directs the Board of Education to promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of the bill and to develop and provide to sports leagues resources regarding child abuse prevention and response training opportunities.