Requires volunteers of youth sports organizations to be screened through use of the statewide sex offender registry

1 Multi-sponsor

• Thomas Alfano

BILL NUMBER:A10207

Title of bill

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to regulation of youth sports organizations

Summary of provisions

Section one amends the Public Health Law to create a new Article 13-C for the Regulation of Youth Sports Organiza- tions. The bill requires youth sports organizations to check prospective volunteers who are expected to have direct contact with youth with the "900" sex offender registry hotline. Youth sports organizations would also be required to do registry checks on all current, active volunteers where such volunteer has direct contact with youth. Youth sports organ- izations would be prohibited from permitting persons determined to be listed in the statewide sex offender registry from volunteering his or her services where such person is expected to have direct contact with youth.

Justification

The recent spate of cases involving coaches who sexually abuse children under their care is alarming. One measure that can be taken to prevent such abuse is to require that youth sports organiza- tions request statewide sex offender registry checks for its volunteers, and, in cases where such volunteers or prospective volunteers are listed in the registry, to prohibit such youth organizations from permitting such persons to volunteer their services.

Prior legislative history

2007-2008: A.2387 - Remained in Committee 2005/2006: A.5746 - Remained in Committee 2003-2004: A.8893A - Remained in Committee/S.4777A - Passed Senate

Fiscal implication

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect 60 days after it shall have become a law.