The proposed bill aims to enhance the safety of youth sports by establishing new training and reporting requirements for coaches and youth sports organizations. It introduces definitions for key terms such as "coach" and "youth sports organization," clarifying the roles and responsibilities of individuals involved in youth athletic activities. Starting July 1, 2026, youth sports organizations will be required to ensure that all coaches complete annual training on mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect, as well as an abuse prevention training program that covers prohibited conduct, appropriate interactions, and responses to disclosures of abuse. Additionally, the bill mandates the development of a prohibited conduct policy by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, which must be adopted by youth sports organizations.

The bill also amends existing laws to include coaches of youth sports organizations as mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect, thereby expanding the scope of individuals required to report suspected abuse. It specifies that department of corrections personnel, guardians ad litem, and employees of higher education institutions are now mandated reporters if they have reasonable cause to believe a child has suffered abuse or neglect. The bill emphasizes the urgency of reporting, requiring that reports be made within forty-eight hours of reasonable cause, and establishes protocols for investigations and family assessments. Furthermore, organizations with employees or volunteers subject to these reporting requirements must display a bilingual poster outlining the reporting obligations, ensuring that more individuals are aware of their responsibilities to protect children from abuse and neglect.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 26.44.020, 26.44.030, 43.43.830, 43.43.834