HB402 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jack Williams

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Youth sports, unpaid and volunteer youth athletics assoc. personnel to complete a youth injury mitigation course annually

Summary

HB402 would require unpaid or volunteer coaches and trainers in Alabama's youth sports to complete an annual, free injury-mitigation course for high-risk activities to help reduce serious injuries.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill would require unpaid or volunteer athletics personnel involved in high-risk youth sports for children 14 and under to complete an online or in-person course that teaches how to lower the chance of serious injuries. The course covers emergency planning, concussions, heat-related injuries, and proper conditioning and equipment use, and must be provided at no cost. Participants must finish within 30 days of starting, and the association must keep records of completion; the requirement is annual and trainers licensed or certified are exempt.

Who It Affects

• Unpaid or volunteer coaches and trainers affiliated with state or local youth athletics associations who sponsor or conduct high-risk activities for children 14 and under — they must complete the course and renew yearly.
• Youth athletics associations and the state or political subdivisions that sponsor or conduct these activities — they must ensure completion and maintain records of who has finished.
• Licensed or certified athletic trainers — they are exempt from the course requirement.
• Youth athletes (14 years and younger) participating in high-risk sports — they are the people whose safety could improve due to these safety practices.

Key Provisions

• Unpaid or volunteer athletics personnel must complete an online or in-person injury-mitigation course for high-risk youth activities.
• The scope covers activities conducted by state or subdivision-affiliated associations and includes schools under the Interscholastic Athletic Association or any youth events on state/subdivision property.
• Course content includes emergency preparedness, concussion awareness, heat-related injury awareness, and proper conditioning and equipment use; course must be free of charge.
• Completion is required within 30 days of becoming actively engaged; records must be kept for as long as the individual serves; annual renewal is required; licensed athletic trainers are exempt.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Youth Sports