News News |
news@steamboatpilot.com
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.”
Readers around Steamboat and Routt County make the Steamboat Pilot & Today’s work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.
Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.
Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.
Sign up for daily and breaking news headlines.
Manage Subscriptions
Classifieds
Jobs
Real Estate
Rentals
Autos
Pets
Recreation
Merchandise
Legals
Place Legal Ad
Search Legal Ads
Contact Us
Become a Carrier
Submissions
Advertise
Archives
Special Sections
About Us
Newsletters
Submit an Obituary
Commercial Print Sales
RSS
E-edition
E-edition archive
Cookie List
Do not sell my personal information
Aspen – Snowmass
Craig – Moffat County
Glenwood Springs – Rifle
Park City – Utah
Breckenridge – Summit County
Vail – Eagle County
Winter Park – Granby – Grand County
Printing Press Jobs
©2005 – 2024 Swift Communications, Inc.