SB 24-113

Senate Bill 24-113, also known as the "Safer Youth Sports" bill, requires youth sports organizations in Colorado to ensure that coaches complete annual training on how to prevent and respond to abuse. Starting August 7, 2024, each organization must develop a policy outlining prohibited behaviors by adults and athletes, along with mandatory reporting procedures for any violations. The bill also mandates background checks for all coaches and managers, preventing those with records of child abuse or sexual misconduct from coaching. This legislation aims to protect young athletes by setting clear standards for coach behavior and training requirements.

Official Summary

Starting July 1, 2025, each youth sports organization shall require each coach to annually complete mandatory reporter training and shall encourage each coach to annually complete an abuse prevention training that includes: Prohibited conduct by coaches; Appropriate one-on-one interactions between players and coaches; How to recognize and appropriately respond to and prevent behaviors that violate the prohibited conduct policy; and How to respond to disclosures of sexual abuse, disclosures of child abuse, or reports of behaviors violating the prohibited conduct policy in a supportive and appropriate manner that meets the mandated reporting requirements pursuant to Colorado statutes. Each youth sports organization shall develop a prohibited conduct policy that its coaches must comply with and that must include: A list of prohibited conduct by parents, spectators, coaches, and athletes and a mandatory reporting policy for adults who have knowledge of an act of prohibited conduct; and A code of conduct for parents, spectators, coaches, and athletes to follow. The act requires the department of early childhood to make a model code of conduct available that a youth sports organization may adopt. The act requires all youth sports organization and local government coaches to obtain a criminal history record check and to not hire a coach with a record of child abuse or unlawful sexual behavior. A volunteer who is not acting in the capacity of a coach or manager and who only occasionally assists with the team is not required to obtain a criminal history record check. The act requires each local government that operates a youth athletic activity to make available a prohibited conduct policy related to youth athletic activities. The act requires the attorney general to draft a notice that explains the requirements of the act and make it available to all youth sports organizations. Each youth sports organization shall post the notice on its website or, if it does not have a website, provide the notice to parents and legal guardians. APPROVED by Governor May 17, 2024 EFFECTIVE August 7, 2024(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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