The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Alabama requires background checks and abuse prevention policies for youth sports coaches
Last action · January 13, 2026: Pending Committee Action in House of OriginSponsor: Leigh Hulsey
Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.
What This Bill Would Do
This bill establishes the Youth Athlete Protection Act, requiring the State Department of Human Resources to develop a model child abuse prevention policy and training by January 1, 2027. Local governments and youth sports organizations must adopt compliant policies, require criminal background checks and annual training for all coaches, and annually register compliance starting October 1, 2026.
Youth sports organizations and local governments must verify criminal histories and compliance for all paid and volunteer coaches or face a suspension of youth sports activities.
- The State Department of Human Resources administers child welfare and protection programs across Alabama. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
youth sports organizations
Must adopt protection policies, require background checks and training for coaches, annually certify compliance with the state, and suspend activities if non-compliant.
local governments
Must implement local Youth Athlete Protection Policies, ensure coach compliance, and register with the state if they provide youth sports opportunities.
youth sports coaches
Must undergo criminal history background checks, complete annual mandatory reporter training, and adhere to conduct codes.
youth athletes under 18 years of age
Receive mandatory protection standards, conduct codes, and reporting procedures designed to prevent abuse in sports activities.
Key Facts
- The State Department of Human Resources must adopt and publish a model Youth Athlete Protection Policy no later than January 1, 2027.
- Each youth sports organization and local government must adopt a Youth Athlete Protection Policy and require all coaches to undergo criminal background checks and annual mandatory reporter training by January 1, 2027.
- Youth sports organizations and local governments must annually register compliance with the Department of Human Resources, which will publish a list of certified entities.
- Entities found out of compliance must immediately suspend the provision of youth athletic activities until documentation of compliance is provided.
Show all 7 facts
- Coaches with convictions, nolo contendere pleas, or deferred sentences for specific felonies involving child abuse, sex offenses, or offenses against minors are prohibited from being hired or accepted as volunteers.
- Youth sports organizations and local governments receive civil immunity regarding the hiring or acceptance of coaches, except when information is known to be false or handled with reckless disregard.
- The act becomes effective on October 1, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who must complete a criminal background check under this bill?
What happens if a youth sports organization fails to certify compliance?
Are school sports teams covered by these requirements?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Follow the record
Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
2 actions- Jan 13, 2026HouseCommitteePending Committee Action in House of Origin
- Jan 13, 2026HouseIntroducedRead for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Children and Senior Advocacy
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
alison.legislature.state.al.us
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy15Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
Publisher tools