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The Alabama Senate Thursday passed a bill to protect young athletes’ health and increase safety standards in youth sports.
SB140, sponsored by Senator Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia, mandates that the Alabama Department of Public Health take an active role in enforcing the Coach Safely Act—a law that requires coaches of youth athletic activities to complete specialized training on concussions, head trauma and other serious injuries common in high-risk sports.
“Just like a solid defense wins games on the field, strong protections for our young athletes allow them to grow up to live happy, healthy lives,” said Senator Waggoner. “In Alabama, sports are a way of life, and Senate Republicans are working to protect our kids on and off the field.”
Under SB140, the Department of Public Health will notify youth athletic associations that do not meet the established training requirements. Should non-compliance persist for two years, the department will be authorized to levy fines. Any association that remains non-compliant for four consecutive years will be barred from administering or conducting youth athletic activities on state property.
This legislation builds on Senator Waggoner’s long-standing commitment to youth athletic safety. In 2018, he made legislative history when the Alabama Legislature passed The Coach Safely Act, AL Code 2018-496, making Alabama the first state in the nation to require youth coaches to complete annual training in injury recognition and prevention for athletes ages 14 and under.
Since then, Tennessee, Arkansas, Georgia, and Texas have followed suit, adopting similar laws and protections for young athletes.
Protecting Alabama families remains a top priority for Senate Republicans.
The bill passed the Senate unanimously and will now go to the House.
