New Bill to Require Background Checks and CPR Certification for Coaches in Youth Sports: Ensuring Safety for Children in Colorado

The bill to require background checks for coaches in youth sports leagues is currently being debated by Colorado lawmakers. The bill was approved by the state Senate on Tuesday and would mandate that background checks be conducted every three years on all employees and regular volunteers who work directly with children or who travel with teams on overnight trips. In addition to background checks, the bill would also require all paid coaches to be certified in CPR.

Senator Jessie Danielson, a Democrat representing Jefferson County, emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of children involved in youth sports. She stated that the goal of the bill is to have all coaches trained in CPR and background checked in order to provide a safe environment for kids participating in sports. The bill would apply to both private and municipal sports organizations, with exceptions for neighborhood youth organizations, K-12 schools, and institutions of higher education.

The proposed legislation aims to protect children by ensuring that individuals coaching youth sports leagues do not have a criminal history and are trained in CPR. By requiring background checks and CPR certification for coaches, lawmakers hope to create a safe environment for children participating in sports.