HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3165        FILED ON: 1/20/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3990

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Marcus S. Vaughn

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to club sports coaching staff.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3165        FILED ON: 1/20/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3990

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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An Act relative to club sports coaching staff.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

There shall be a special commission established pursuant to section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws to study and make recommendations on the quality of coaching staff at club sports facilities, with a focus on ensuring proper training, vetting and reporting mechanisms for coaches who work with children and young adults.

The commission shall consist of the following members: 3 members of the senate, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the senate president, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader and 1 of whom shall be appointed by the joint committee on education; 3 members of the house of representatives, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader and 1 of whom shall be appointed by the joint committee on education; the secretary of education or a designee; the commissioner of elementary and secondary education or a designee; and 7 persons to be appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall be an expert in sports coaching and education, 1 of whom shall be an expert in child development and psychology, 1 of whom shall be an expert in cultural diversity and sensitivity, 1 of whom shall be a representative of a club sports facility that employs coaches from foreign countries, 1 of whom shall be a representative of a club sports facility that employs coaches from Massachusetts, 1 of whom shall be a representative of a parent advocacy group concerned with the quality of coaching staff at club sports facilities, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Massachusetts Recreation and Parks Association and 1 of whom shall be a representative of a student athlete who has participated in club sports.

The commission shall elect a chairperson from among its members. The commission may hold public hearings and invite testimony from experts and the public. The commission may request from any department, division, board, bureau, commission or agency of the commonwealth such assistance and data as will enable it to properly carry out its duties.

The commission shall investigate and review: (i) the current hiring process and criteria for coaches at club sports facilities; (ii) the best practices and guidelines for training coaches on how to deal with children and young adults in various settings and situations; (iii) the potential benefits and costs of implementing such practices and guidelines; (iv) the current reporting program and procedures for parents and students who have complaints or concerns about coaches at club sports facilities; (v) the creation of a state-wide licensing board to license, prosecute and hold accountable club sports facilities for infractions of club sports facilities licensure requirements and infractions of regulations, practices and guidelines set forth for the hiring and oversight of club sports coaches; (vi) the best practices and guidelines for ensuring accountability and transparency for coaches at club sports facilities; and (vii) any other matter relevant to its charge.

The commission shall report its findings and recommendations, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry out such recommendations, to the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, who shall forward copies thereof to the senate president, speaker of the house, chairs of the joint committee on education and chairs of the senate and house committees on ways and means not later than June 30, 2024.