YOUTH SPORTS AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEGISLATION TRACKER

Legislation that requires schools and youth sport organizations to implement safeguards such as criminal background checks, abuse-prevention training, mandatory reporting and codes of conduct to protect young athletes and ensure safe participation.

Note: We have chosen to not include background check policies for paid school sports coaches in the Abuse category because the vast majority of states require paid school employees or those working with students (e.g., coaches) to be background checked. However, inconsistencies and gaps in policy remain for unpaid and/or volunteer school sport coaches. This linked resource provides further context to these remaining gaps and state-by-state nuances.

Legislation that establishes standards for education, prevention, and response to sudden cardiac arrest in youth and school sports, defining responsibilities for coaches, schools, and organizations to ensure accountability for the consistent implementation of safety measures.

Legislation that sets standards for concussion education, prevention, and management in youth and school based sports, defining responsibilities for coaches, schools, and organizations to implement safety measures and return-to-play protocols.

Legislation requiring youth sport coaches—both school-based and non-school programs—to complete training on adolescent mental health, suicide prevention, or overall athlete well-being. These laws are designed to ensure coaches can recognize warning signs, respond appropriately, and provide mental health support.

Legislation that mandates minimum standards for time, intensity, and access to physical activity in school based settings to promote healthy, safe, and equitable opportunities for access to opportunities to meet the CDC’s recommendation for 60 minutes of daily moderate to vigorous physical activity.

Legislation that requires elementary schools to provide a minimum amount of recess or unstructured playtime during the school day; includes other provisions for equitable provision of recess.

Legislation that sets standards to ensure youth and school sport programs provide for basic medical needs, proper licensure of athletic trainers and medical professionals, safe equipment and facilities, sanitation, heat illness prevention, substance abuse prevention, and liability safeguards.

Legislation requiring schools or school districts to comply with specific standards designed to protect young athletes (such as emergency action plans or providing liability information to athletes and families). Additional laws include eligibility requirements and standards for specific school team participation.

Legislation that requires school-based coaches to complete mandatory education and training, establishing professional standards that must be met in order to coach.

Note: We have chosen to not include background check policies for paid school sports coaches in the School Sport Coaching category because the vast majority of states require paid school employees or those working with students (e.g., coaches) to be background checked. However, inconsistencies and gaps in policy remain for unpaid and/or volunteer school sport coaches. This linked resource provides further context to these remaining gaps and state-by-state nuances.

Legislation requiring youth sport (non-school) organizations comply with specific standards designed to protect young athletes, including safety and health protocols, as a condition for providing programming and/or accessing public sporting facilities.

Legislation that requires youth sport (non-school) coaches complete mandatory education and training beyond sport-specific knowledge, establishing professional standards that must be met in order to coach.