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Bill aiming to increase safety in youth sports passes state Senate, moves to House

A soccer player passes across the field to his teammate. The Colorado Senate has approved a bill that supporters say will make Colorado youth sports safer for young athletes. The proposal now goes to the state House. 
Tom Skulski/Steamboat Pilot & Today

The Colorado Senate approved a bill on Friday designed to make Colorado youth sports safer. 

In an effort to bring official safety policies to youth athletics in Colorado, Senate Bill 24-113 would require youth sports coaches to receive abuse-prevention training and respect a code of conduct policy while handling violations of that policy.

Presented by Senate President Pro Tem James Coleman, D-Denver, and Sen. Tony Exums, D-Colorado Springs, the bill would affect private for-profit and nonprofit youth sports organizations in Colorado. 



Under the bill, youth sports organizations would be obligated to institute comprehensive abuse prevention on an annual basis for adults working directly with minors; have a mechanism to receive reports of possible violations; and be required to conduct background checks on adults working with athletes who are minors, including a national criminal check and the national sex offender registry. 

“All kids should have the opportunity to participate in sports and know that they’re surrounded by safe, trusted and vetted adults,” Coleman said in a news release. “Playing sports can help kids stay engaged in their community while building life skills and reducing youth violence. I’m proud to see this bill move forward as we work to create safer spaces for Colorado’s young athletes.” 



After passing in the Senate, the bill now heads to the House. Its progress can be tracked at Leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb24-113

“Youth sports teach kids to be a part of a team, develop leadership skills and help students succeed in and out of the classroom,” Exum said in the release. “The last thing families should be concerned about is if the coaches have been properly trained in abuse prevention — it should be a given. With this bill, we can ensure our kids are safe while having fun.”


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