Analysis: The Alabama Coach Safety Act
by Jim Pattillo, Partner
In late 2018, Alabama passed the Coach Safety Act (the “Act”) with the goal of requiring unpaid coaches and volunteers to receive training designed to reduce the likelihood of a child being injured while participating in youth sports. The Act is in response to the perceived rise in injuries in youth athletics related to overuse, excess early specialization, and head injuries.
Although somewhat ambiguous in its application, the Act is aimed at anyone who is a “coach” or “athletics personnel” as defined by the Act. The preface is directed to “any unpaid or volunteer coach or trainer.” However, the Act later defines “coach” as anyone who is “paid or unpaid.” It does not make the same distinction for “athletics personnel,” which is also defined by the Act. (Arguably, a nominal payment to someone labeled as “athletics personnel” would allow them to avoid training). In addition, the Act is not clear whether training is required for adults who are parenting their own children on the field as occurs in the very youngest ages. It is possible they do not fit the definition of “athletics personnel” in the Act.
While the Act does not specifically detail the training required, it must cover the topics of traumatic injuries, concussions, heat-related injuries, and physical training and equipment. Some municipalities have partnered with organizations like Coach Safely (www.coachsafely.org) to provide online training accessible to coaches and athletics personnel.
The Alabama Department of Public Health has provided a list of resources as it relates to the Act and the subject of safety in youth sports: https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/injuryprevention/youth-athletic-training-resources.html. The link includes a searchable database of all coaches and the trainings they have participated in. However, the database appears to be incomplete as of the time of this publication.
For additional questions or information about the legal requirements of the Act, consider consulting with your preferred legal counsel or feel free to contact Jim Pattillo at jlpattillo@csattorneys.com or 205.795.6588.
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